Freiländeralm wind farm nears completion of 15-turbine expansion

The final turbines in a 15-unit expansion of the Freiländeralm wind farm in Styria are being installed, ORF Steiermark reported. The project is part of a major investment in wind power by Energie Steiermark, which plans to invest 550 million euros by 2030.

Transport crews are currently moving rotor blades measuring more than 86 metres through the narrow roads of Pack to the Freiländeralm. The operation requires a specialised heavy transport vehicle and an experienced operator.

Erik Piper, a heavy transport expert, said the narrow bends require the blades to be held high in the air. The vehicle must sometimes turn through 360 degrees, while the blades also need to be kept clear of power lines. The transporter has 12 axles, each steered independently, and weighs 144 tonnes. Each blade weighs 34 tonnes.

Energie Steiermark spokesperson Urs Harnik said the wind turbines being built at the Freiländeralm and Soboth are the largest in Europe. He added that each rotor blade is considerably longer than an Airbus A380.

The Freiländeralm facility is expected to generate electricity for 57,000 households from the end of the year. More than 40 such transport journeys have already been completed. By 2030, Energie Steiermark’s new wind turbines are expected to have a combined capacity of 300 megawatts and supply electricity to well over 160,000 households.