Development

The project Tauernwindpark Oberzeiring was originally planned to include the erection of 7 Enercon E66 turbines. Due to the special challenges and risks that the extreme site would present, Enercon decided to withdraw from the project.

When the turbine manufacturer BONUS expressed its readiness to deliver 12 Bonus 1.3 MW turbines with a hub height of 50 m and a rotor diameter of 62 m, the wind park operator agreed. In spring of 2001 all planning steps had been completed and all permits had been granted. The wind park could be built. However, due to technical problems with a turbine at a similar site in France and internal patent problems, BONUS declared itself no longer technically and economically able to deliver the turbines.

Vestas V66 - 1,75 MW

Vestas V47

A new call for bids was carried out in the summer of 2001 and the company VESTAS turned out to be the most competent bidder. VESTAS offered to deliver 11 wind turbines with a higher productivity as the original 12. This would improve the project not only economically but also technically and ecologically. As opposed to the BONUS turbines the VESTAS turbines are equipped with a pitch control system (see Wind Park/Technology) and work with variable speed generators.

These changes of course meant new permits would have to be applied for in the following categories: conservation, electricity, construction, aviation etc. Everything would have to move fast in a short period of time or erection of the wind park would have to be postponed for a year.