Tag: Windkraft

  • Renewable energies remain on course for growth despite difficult market conditions

    Renewable energies remain on course for growth despite difficult market conditions

    Aventron has announced its key financial figures for the 2025 financial year. In total, the producer of electricity from renewable energies generated around 1.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity – around 15 per cent less than in the previous year (2024: 1.498 billion kilowatt hours). Aventron cites historically weak weather conditions and high price volatility, including negative electricity prices, as the reasons for this.

    Despite the decline in production, the result remains “solid” according to a statement. Net revenue amounted to 120.5 million Swiss francs (2024: 134.9 million Swiss francs), while the EBIT margin (earnings before interest and taxes) was around 21 per cent. Net profit after taxes reached CHF 10.3 million.

    In 2025, aventron continued its diversification strategy with solar, wind and hydro technologies and further developed its portfolio. In Switzerland, construction began on the Sedrun Solar (Grisons) and APV Sidenplangg (Uri) alpine photovoltaic projects. In Italy, realisation of the 25-megawatt Lazio 01 solar power plant began, while two wind farms are under construction in France and Germany. The company invested a total of CHF 67 million. At the end of the year, the portfolio comprised a consolidated total output of 819 megawatts (previous year: 797 MW) in operation or under construction.

    In the medium term, aventron intends to focus increasingly on successful electricity marketing and the expansion of data management and monitoring systems. The aim remains to build up a portfolio with a total output of 1000 megawatts. The Münchenstein-based company operates and develops power plants in the areas of hydro, solar and wind energy in Switzerland and selected European countries.

  • New wind measuring mast provides data for planned wind farm

    New wind measuring mast provides data for planned wind farm

    Axpo is embarking on the next phase of its wind power project on the Dreibündenstein. A 125-metre-high wind measuring mast will be erected on the Grisons hill south of Chur on 9 October, the Baden-based energy company announced in a press release. It will collect data on wind speed, wind direction, weather conditions and bat activity over the course of a year.

    The system, which was specially developed by Axpo subsidiary CKW for the project in Graubünden, does not require an external power supply. This is made possible by a battery that is charged by a photovoltaic system and two wind generators attached to the mast. The data collection system can be monitored remotely by Axpo and is housed in a special container that can even be heated if necessary. “This technological innovation enables us to carry out wind measurements at locations that were previously difficult to access,” said Cédric Aubert, Head of Wind Switzerland at Axpo, in the press release.

    The company plans to install up to eight wind turbines with a total output of around 40 megawatts at the Dreibündenstein. They are expected to supply over 65 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, around 60 per cent of which will be generated in winter. In parallel to the wind measurements that are now starting, Axpo wants to sound out the logistical requirements of the wind farm project in transport and grid studies.

  • Hybrid small power plant promotes green energy in Graubünden

    Hybrid small power plant promotes green energy in Graubünden

    NewGreenTec AG has installed one of its hybrid wind-solar small power plants on the roof of the Plantahof. In future, it will contribute to the sustainable power supply of the agricultural training centre in the canton of Graubünden and eastern Switzerland. According to the start-up company, it will also enable pupils and teachers to experience the technology first-hand and expand their knowledge of renewable energies.

    “We are delighted to be promoting the sustainable development of agriculture in Graubünden with this project,” said Frido Stutz, Managing Director of NewGreenTec AG, in a company press release. “The combination of wind and solar energy is a pioneering step towards an environmentally friendly and stable power supply throughout the day and year.”

    NewGreenTec also recognises this as a symbol of the potential for a sustainable future: “With the power of wind and sun, the Rhine Valley is set to become another example of successful innovation in green energy supply.” The company’s first small power plant on an industrial building was put into operation in January 2023.

    The hybrid device combines solar panels, a small wind turbine and storage technology in a single unit and was developed in collaboration with Swiss universities of applied sciences. The wind turbines, which rotate around a vertical axis, are independent of the wind direction and virtually noiseless.

  • Canton of Zurich proposes areas for the utilisation of wind power

    Canton of Zurich proposes areas for the utilisation of wind power

    The Zurich cantonal government wants to create the planning basis for increased utilisation of wind power in the canton. According to a press release, it has now submitted 20 highly suitable and 15 well-suited areas for consultation. The highly suitable areas are mainly located in the north-east of the canton between Cholfirst, Stammerberg, Zünikon and Bergbuck. Other areas in the south of the Knonauer Amts, on the Pfannenstiel and in the Oberland are considered to be well suited. The canton looked at a total of 52 potential areas.

    The consultation will last until 31 October. The cantonal government will then prepare the corresponding proposal for the cantonal council. Wind turbines can only be erected in areas that are listed as suitable in the structure plan.

    The cantonal government is also proposing measures to involve the municipalities and the population in the construction of the turbines. For example, municipalities and private individuals should be able to participate voluntarily in the investments. Conversely, plant operators should voluntarily allow municipalities to share in the profits.

    In contrast, the cantonal government sees little potential for the expansion of hydropower in the canton. Only at the Rhine Falls could 20 per cent of the water be used for an underground power plant. It proposes a corresponding entry in the structure plan.

  • Axpo supplies wind power to Borealis

    Axpo supplies wind power to Borealis

    Axpo and Swedish plastic film producer Borealis have signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), according to a media release. According to the agreement, Axpo’s wholly owned subsidiary Axpo Nordic will supply more than 130,000 megawatt hours of electricity from wind power to Borealis’ production plant in Stenungsund for ten years starting in January 2024.

    For Borealis, the contract with Axpo means that the share of renewable energy consumed at the Stenungsund plant will be significantly increased, the media release says. Indirect carbon dioxide emissions at Borealis operations will be reduced by nearly 10,000 tons annually. Borealis aims to increase the share of renewables in its electricity mix to 40 percent by 2025 and achieve 100 percent electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

    “This transaction marks another milestone in our corporate PPA business and demonstrates the crucial role Axpo Nordic plays in the energy transition. Sweden is an attractive market for international investors in renewable energy,” Cecilia Bergman of the Axpo Sweden management is quoted as saying. The continued expansion of wind farms allows industrial companies to source renewable power locally for their facilities to reduce their emissions and meet their sustainability goals, Bergman added.

    “The contract brings us closer to our ultimate goal of covering all our electricity consumption from renewable sources by the end of this decade. This is another step in our journey to reinvent ourselves and live more sustainably,” Wolfram Krenn, Executive Vice President Base Chemicals & Operations at Borealis, is quoted as saying.

  • EKZ achieves good operating results with stable sales

    EKZ achieves good operating results with stable sales

    EKZ draws a positive balance for the 2019/20 financial year with stable sales, expansion of the production of renewable energy, especially in wind power, and an operating result that has enabled a profit distribution of CHF 41.3 million to the canton and municipalities for the first time. According to the press release, the operating result (EBIT) was CHF 61.3 million and the company's result, i.e. total income minus total expenses, was CHF 88.2 million.

    EKZ's electricity sales remained stable in the first half of 2020 despite the lockdown. The lower sales among traders and the closure of shopping centers have been compensated for by shifting to higher sales in home offices. The EKZ supplies around 315,000 households and businesses with renewable energy.

    The production capacities from renewable energy were expanded. The EKZ in Switzerland relies on the expansion of solar energy and domestic hydropower. The Dietikon river power plant was put back into operation. In Spain and Portugal the investment focus was on solar energy, in France and Germany on electricity production from wind power. With above-average wind conditions, 496 gigawatt hours of electricity were generated from wind energy, reports the EKZ.

    Other focal points of the shopping center were charging solutions for tenants, apartment or house owners as well as the prosumer area. These are electricity consumers who are producers themselves at the same time as their own solar systems.

    EKZ has been involved inPrimeo Energie AG since January 1st to work together in energy sales for energy supply companies and business customers.

  • Hightech Zentrum Aargau was successful in the e-mobile rally

    Hightech Zentrum Aargau was successful in the e-mobile rally

    Beat Christen and his co-pilot Peter Morf from the Hightech Center Aargau ( HTZ ) have successfully completed their first participation in the Wave Trophy , according to a media release. The e-mobile team Mission Innovation Aargau covered 1818 kilometers without breakdowns in eight days in its Tesla Model S P85D. The start was in Brugg-Windisch, the final in Entlebuch. In the overall ranking, it came second out of around 30 participating teams. It also won the audience award given by students.

    This year's route led along the Grand Tour of Switzerland through all four language regions and over nine Alpine passes. The teams did not only advertise electromobility in action, but also during their planned stays in 23 towns and at a further 23 stops, according to the announcement. Most of the information meetings with authorities, schools and the population were well attended. Interested parties could follow the travel blog of the two drivers on the HTZ website.

    Because the motto of this year's Wave rally was “Energy Tour”, numerous energy projects were also visited, including the first floating solar power plant in the Alps on the Lac des Toules in Valais and the wind turbines on the Rengg Pass in Entlebuch. "Renewable energies go well with e-mobility and the Wave has shown that this combination works," said Peter Morf, co-pilot and head of energy technologies and resource efficiency at HTZ, quoted in the communication. Only the “consistency of the various charging systems” is “still a challenge,” says pilot Beat Christen.