Soler, an energy company that is jointly-owned by SEO and Enovos, plans to double electricity generation from wind with the construction of 41 wind turbines.

The first expected to enter into operation will be three turbines in Garnich, five in Harlange-Watrange, and eight in Dalheim, which are currently in the planning stages.

A fourth project will see an existing wind turbine in the east of Luxembourg remotorised. The remaining projects are Sudwand (nine wind turbines near Esch-sur-Alzette), Redange (six wind turbines), Mersch (six wind turbines) and the Ernz Valley (three wind turbines). These supplement the existing 42 wind turbines at three hydroelectric plants in Esch-sur-Sûre, Ettelbruck and Rosport.

Doubling output

Once operational, the eight sites are expected to more than double Soler’s production, from its current 100.75MW. Soler officials said that wind energy represents “the greatest potential for renewable energy production in the Grand Duchy.”

Soler stressed it wanted to work in harmony with the environment and local residents and has therefore organised information meetings with residents living closed to the proposed projects.

“We carried constructive discussions in a spirit of transparent and engaging dialogue,” Soler executive advisor Laurent Winkin said.

Meanwhile, every project will have its own operating company in order to give local residents and businesses the opport

unity to participate. Each turbine is expected to cost an average €5.5 m, remaining profitable for up to 10 years of their 20-year lifespans.

Targets

Luxembourg's goal is to generate 11% of its energy needs through renewable energy sources by 2020. In 2016, just 5.5% of its energy needs were met in this way. In addition to rolling out new feed-in tarifs for people generating solar energy at home, last year Luxembourg signed renewable energy cooperation agreements with Lithuania and Estonia enabling the grand duchy to share in the renewable energy excess they generate.