RWE commissions wind farm with ‘innovative’ foundations

Its 40.8MW Rea Unificado Rea Unificado (40.8MW) OnshoreCastile and León, Spain, Europe Click to see full details wind farm in Soria in the north-east of Spain features nine of Nordex’s N149/4.53MW turbines installed on ‘soft-spot’ foundations designed by CTE Wind.

The reinforced concrete spread foundations are placed on an insulating expanded polystyrene layer. They redistribute the load over a doughnut-shaped surface, rather than sending them to the subsoil.

RWE described the turbines as “innovative”, and explained that they optimise the amount of concrete and steel used, making the project more cost-effective and environmentally more sustainable.

Engineering and construction firm GES built the wind farm for RWE.

RWE is considering using the technnology for other projects, though has made no firm decisions, a spokeswoman told Windpower Monthly.