Moscow, December 01, 2022 - Today PJSC Enel Russia has been granted the right to put into commercial operation the first stage with the capacity of 170 MW (84% of the design capacity) of the most powerful wind farm in Russia located beyond the Arctic Circle - Kola Wind Farm (the design capacity 201 MW) in Murmansk Region. The right to sell electricity and capacity on the Wholesale Electricity and Capacity Market (WECM) was granted upon the relevant notification of the generating equipment qualification by the Association NP Market Council. This was preceded by certification of the wind farm's generating equipment by the Wholesale Electricity Market Trading System Administrator (JSC ATS).
Enel Russia was awarded Kola wind farm project in 2017 Russia’s Government renewable energy tender for wind power generating capacities. The outtake was held as part of the incentive program for the development of renewable energy generation in Russia through guaranteed capacity payments on a term-specific basis under the scheme of wholesale market capacity supply agreements (CSA), concluded with the owner of a given power plant for 15 years.
The construction of the wind farm was started on September 19, 2019. The project was supported by the government of Murmansk region. In November 2018, the agreement on cooperation in the RES development was signed. This agreement was aimed at increasing the economic potential of Murmansk region by introducing new ways of generating electricity and creating energy infrastructure facilities. In 2021 the investment project titled “Construction and subsequent operation of Kola wind farm” was given the status of a region’s strategic investment project.
Kola wind farm will be able to generate about 750 GWh per year, while avoiding the release of about 600 000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The wind park is equipped with 57 WTGs and occupies the area of 257 ha. In accordance with the requirements, the most of equipment installed at the wind farm is localized in Russia.
The wind farm equipment is designed to operate at extremely low temperatures. The wind turbine blades are equipped with icing detection systems capable of early detection of the risk of icing and automatic stop of their rotation.
Commissioning of the second stage which is the final one is scheduled for Q1 2023. In addition to Kola Wind Farm, Enel Russia owns Azov wind farm (90 MW), located in Rostov region and commissioned in May 2021.