Enel Russia summed up the results of the first year of Azov Wind Farm operation
May 1, 2022 saw exactly one year after Azov WPP was put into commercial operation. Within this period the wind farm has generated 266 GWh of electricity, avoiding 216 tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Utilization rate of the wind farm was high during the year as evidenced by the Installed Capacity Utilization Factor (the ICUF), which was significantly higher than the one stipulated in the capacity supply contract.
"In the first year of operation of Azov wind farm we have confidently obtained one of the leading positions on the wind generation market in Rostov region. This is due not only to the location, which is advantageous in terms of wind potential, but also to the well-coordinated work of the wind farm's operational staff ensuring the reliable and safe operation of the power plant”
- Makar Kuznetsov, General Director of LLC Enel Russia Wind Azov, a subsidiary of Enel Russia operating the wind farm
Located on the picturesque shore of Taganrog Bay, the power plant has turned into a place of constant attraction for tourists and movie crews. On 133 hectares of land there are 26 turbines, which using only the power of the wind produce "green" energy that is delivered then into the energy system of the south of Russia.
Azov WPP is the first wind farm in the Unified Energy System of Russia to implement the technology for remote control of both active and reactive power of the generating equipment. Remote control of reactive power at Azov Wind Farm provides an additional tool for emergency control and optimization of the electric power modes of the UES of the South through prompt regulation of voltage levels in the nodes of the power grid. Remote control also makes it possible to optimize the operational maintenance scheme of the wind power plant without any need for permanent duty employees at the plant. During the year of operation, no incidents involving loss of such control have arisen at the wind power plant.
The autumn-and-winter period was also successful for Azov wind farm. The safety of operations, employees at the power plant, contractor employees and local residents was ensured. Within this term the equipment of the power plant was maintained as per the schedule. Upon the results of the first year of operation at Azov Windfarm, no emergencies, accidents, or other potentially dangerous incidents were reported.
Environmental issues are treated with plenty of attention during the operation of the wind farm. It was designed and built taking into account the birds and animals migration routes. In 2021 the Federal Research Center of the Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted a study on the impact of Azov wind farm on the region's nature. The study confirmed absence of a significant negative impact of the wind farm on the ornithofauna.