Senvion is contracted to supply turbines as well as carry out the installation and commissioning at the North Sea project.
But its self-administered insolvency procedure — which has dominated much of 2019 — has caused massive delays in the construction schedule, with turbine installation at the project not starting until late summer 2019.
The planned completion of the project by the end of the year is no longer possible, with installation now stretching into the first half of 2020, reported project partner Trianel.
Sixteen out of a total 32 wind turbines at the Trianel Windpark Borkum II have been installed.
Frequent bad weather in autumn and winter compounded the issue, and it is not possible to get back on schedule, said Irina Lucke, technical director of project company Trianel Windkraftwerk Borkum II.
Ten to fifteen turbines will not be ready for commissioning until the beginning of 2020.
Under Germany's renewable energy law, support payments for turbines commissioned after 1 January 2020 reduce by €10/MWh "resulting in potential damage running to a mid-range double-digit million euro sum for the project partners," said Klaus Horstick, commercial director of the project company.
The German government is planning a "hardship provision" in upcoming legislation for onshore wind projects whose commissioning schedule has been thrown off course by Senvion‘s insolvency.
Offshore wind needs the same provision, said Horstick, calling on the government to delay the next cut in the offshore wind support payment level to mid-2020 for projects hit by Senvion‘s demise.
Independent service provider Deustsche Windtechnik agreed to take on the service contract for the site in October, when it was clear Senvion would no longer be able to carry out the activities.
Trianel, a German municipal utility cooperation, along with 17 member municipal utilities, holds 37.99% in the €800 million project. EWE, a regional energy utility, has 37.5%; and a joint venture between Elektrizitätswerk der Stadt Zürich and Fontavis holds 24.51%.
203MW Trianel Windpark Borkum II Trianel Windpark Borkum II (203MW) Offshorenorth of Borkum, Germany, Europe Click to see full details
