It seems to me there is some misunderstanding about the role of Germany's first inland test station for wind turbines (Wind Wire, July, page 8 and Letters, October) and the PowerGen near-shore project proposal (Plans progress for offshore wind farms, September, page 22). RWE Energie is involved in the test station company. Its focus is to test on behalf of manufacturers those turbines most suitable for electricity generation in inland Germany. The focus is not to operate a commercial wind farm. The test station can accommodate eight turbines and will provide measurement equipment and give advice to potential operators of wind farms as well as give a professional opinion on renewable energy applications.
The PowerGen offshore proposal is at a relatively early stage and although considerable development work has been carried out, detailed design work and consultation needs to be done and further consents obtained before the project can be constructed.
