RWE expands German onshore wind portfolio as modernised Lasbek site begins supplying green power to 18,000 homes

Bildrechte: RWE

(IN BRIEF) RWE has completed the repowering of the Lasbek wind farm in Schleswig-Holstein, replacing six older turbines with four more powerful units, increasing capacity from 10.8 MW to 22.8 MW. The upgrade boosts renewable output fivefold, enabling the site to supply roughly 18,000 households with green electricity. Municipalities around the project will benefit from annual payments of up to €124,000 — about €100,000 more than previously. Rotor blades from one dismantled turbine will be used in the BladeReUse research project with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to explore material recycling for products such as motorway noise barrier walls, and other turbine parts will be repurposed as spares in the RWE fleet. CEO Katja Wünschel highlighted repowering’s potential and confirmed ongoing growth, noting RWE’s 145 MW of onshore wind currently in construction and 760 MW already operating in Germany.

(PRESS RELEASE) LASBEK / ESSEN, 9-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE has officially brought its modernised Lasbek wind farm online, marking the completion of a one-year repowering programme that significantly boosts renewable generation capacity in Schleswig-Holstein. Situated in the municipality of Lasbek in the Stormarn district, the upgraded site now operates with four high-performance wind turbines delivering a total capacity of 22.8 megawatts. These units replace six older turbines that previously generated 10.8 MW. As a result, output has increased approximately fivefold — enough to supply green electricity to around 18,000 households. The project also delivers a financial benefit for the region, with surrounding municipalities set to receive up to €124,000 annually, around €100,000 more than before, helping support local services such as childcare facilities, schools or the volunteer fire brigade.

Beyond electricity generation, the Lasbek repowering project includes a focus on recycling and sustainable material use. Rotor blades from one of the dismantled turbines will be delivered to the BladeReUse research programme hosted by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Together with RWE and additional partners*, the research team is exploring how composite materials from decommissioned blades can be processed and reintroduced into high-volume production. One planned use case involves converting the material into structural elements for motorway noise barrier walls. Other components from the decommissioned turbines will be stored for reuse as spare parts across the RWE fleet.

Commenting on the commissioning, Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, said:
“It is fantastic to see Lasbek wind farm back in operation in its renewed form. With fewer turbines but five times the generation capacity, we are demonstrating the enormous potential of repowering. The site can now supply renewable electricity to around 18,000 households. At the same time, many of the old components are being reused – in other wind farms or even for innovative motorway noise barriers. The additional annual income for the surrounding municipalities also creates long-term value. My thanks go to everyone involved — the RWE project team, our partners, and the authorities who contributed to the swift execution of this development.”

Growing momentum in onshore wind for Germany

Onshore wind energy continues to be a central pillar of the German energy transition. RWE is currently building new onshore wind projects within the country totalling 145 megawatts of planned capacity, adding to the 760 MW already in operation, as part of its expanding renewables portfolio.

For further enquiries:
Viola Baumann
RWE Spokesperson
M +49 152 57909343
E viola.baumann@rwe.com

*Blade ReUse pilot project
The BladeReUse research project aims to develop a method for the resource-saving and CO2-reducing reuse of rotor blades in the infrastructure sector. Partners in the project, which is being conducted by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, include Amiblu Germany GmbH, Die Autobahn GmbH (a federal government company), ICM-Composites GmbH & Co. KG, Rau Lärmschutzwände, Geosystem GBK GmbH, and RWE. The pilot project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection as part of the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Program (TTP LB).

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a modern energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. Thanks to its integrated portfolio of renewables, battery storage and flexible generation, as well as its broad project pipeline of possible new builds, RWE is well positioned to address the growing global demand for electricity, particularly driving by further electrification and artificial intelligence. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

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SOURCE: RWE