ENERCON is strengthening environmental and climate protection in the manufacturing of its products and expanding its product portfolio to include an option featuring low-emission steel for all tower models with steel components. The first model of this kind was manufactured in partnership with Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH, a subsidiary of Salzgitter AG that is increasingly focusing on low-emission production processes and the increased use of recycled steel.

Steel production is considered an energy-intensive process. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the production of heavy plate, Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH is using physically CO2-reduced slabs in this project, which were produced using 100 percent scrap in an electric arc furnace (EAF) powered by green electricity.

“On our path toward steel production that is as climate-neutral as possible, we work closely with strong partners from industry and research. We are therefore delighted to have produced the first emissions-reduced tower for a wind turbine in Germany together with ENERCON and other companies in the steel industry,” says Thorsten Gintaut, Managing Director of Sales at Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH.

With the tower option featuring emission-reduced steel, ENERCON offers its customers the opportunity to act sustainably by reducing their CO2 footprint and improving their environmental balance. “Emission-reduced steel is often made from recycled material and is itself fully recyclable. This contributes to the circular economy and reduces the need for new raw materials,” explains Maria-Josefa Brand, Tower Product Manager at ENERCON. There are no differences in strength, stability, or durability. “Our quality standards for emission-reduced steel towers are the same as for conventionally produced towers,” says Maria-Josefa Brand.

Emissions-reduced products and production processes support the decarbonization of the economy, while also making a significant contribution to a sustainable energy infrastructure.