The facility stands out with technical characteristics that are record-breaking for the region: the rotor diameter is 175 meters, which will allow it to generate electricity for 3,000 households. Despite the successful implementation of the project, the developers state that under current conditions, launching such a construction again would be impossible due to changes in legislation and economic policy.
Technical parameters and construction logistics
The scale of the construction work in the Eichstätt district required the involvement of specialized equipment that is among the most powerful in Germany. To deliver the components of a crane capable of lifting loads weighing up to 151 tons to a height of more than 160 meters, 77 trucks were used. According to crane operator Erich Michatz, the height of the main mast reaches 168 meters, which is necessary for mounting the station components in forest conditions.
The structure of the installation includes a 94-meter concrete tower supplemented by three steel sections of Bavarian manufacture. At a height of 162 meters, a machine room weighing dozens of tons, produced by the company Enercon, is located. Three rotor blades, each 85 meters long, are attached to its hub. The total diameter of the rotating part of the installation reaches 175 meters, which requires a complete absence of wind during the installation of key nodes.
Experience of private developers and ecological motivation
The project is being implemented by Daniel Bauer and Josef Streller with the participation of their father, Ferdinand Bauer. The farming family acts as the developers, using practical experience gained during the construction of three similar installations ten years ago. According to Josef Streller, the decision to invest in renewable energy sources was dictated by years of observations of climate changes in the region, expressed in the growth of average temperatures and a reduction in precipitation.
The implementation of the project became possible after the adoption in 2022 of the federal Onshore Wind Energy Act, which established mandatory target indicators for the development of the industry for Bavaria. Daniel Bauer reported that the process of preparing documentation took three years. During this time, negotiations were held with landowners, expert opinions on species protection, noise levels, and shadow influence were obtained, and a loan was agreed upon at a local savings bank.
Financial indicators and risks of energy reform
The total cost of construction was about 10 million euros. Financing was provided by attracting funds from 45 private individuals and developers, who collected one million euros, as well as a bank loan. According to expert calculations, the payback of the facility will be from 12 to 15 years. On the day of mounting the last rotor blade weighing 27 tons, the work proceeded without delays thanks to favorable weather conditions.Despite the station’s readiness for grid connection, Daniel Bauer expressed concern about the future of wind energy in Bavaria. In his opinion, the design of new facilities at the moment is associated with unacceptable risks. This is due to initiatives by the Minister of Economy Katharina Reiche of the CDU, who plans, within the framework of the reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act, to shift the costs of grid modernization to producers. The developers emphasize that these changes may make the implementation of new projects in the region unprofitable, although for the current facility in Eichstätt, the previous compensation terms will apply.
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