First low-emission ENERCON wind turbine installed using heavy plate from Ilsenburg

ENERCON is reinforcing its commitment to environmental and climate protection by expanding its product portfolio to include a green steel option for all tower models featuring steel components. The first emission-reduced wind tower of this kind was manufactured in collaboration with SMB Schönebecker Maschinenbau GmbH, a TMGROUP company, and is made from CO₂-reduced Ilsenburg heavy plate. It is now installed in the Diepholzer Bruch wind farm. This makes the wind turbine one of the first of its kind in Europe, and a pioneer in Germany. „With the green steel option, we offer our customers the opportunity to act sustainably by reducing their carbon footprint and improving their environmental performance. Green steel is often made from recycled materials and is itself fully recyclable. This supports the circular economy and reduces the need for new raw materials,’ explains Maria Brand, Tower Product Manager at ENERCON.

The carbon footprint of wind turbines is significantly impacted by steel tower components. By using low-emission steel, we are actively contributing to the sustainable transformation of the economy. "With our green steel offering, we support our customers' sustainability goals. Steel produced using our scrap-based electric arc furnace process guarantees 77% lower CO₂ emissions than conventional blast furnace production,” reports Tony Dachner, Head of Sales DACH region at Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH.

Through its SALCOS® programme (Salzgitter Low CO₂ Steelmaking), the Salzgitter Group is currently paving the way for the future production of low-carbon steel, which will rely on hydrogen-powered direct reduction plants and electricity from renewable sources. This should result in a reduction of around 95 per cent in CO₂ emissions from steel production by the end of 2033.