23 May 2019 17:01

Enel Russia starts building first wind farm in Russia, to invest 123 mln euros

ROSTOV-ON-DON. May 23 (Interfax) - PJSC Enel Russia officially started to build the Azov wind farm, the Enel Group's first renewable energy project in Russia, on Thursday, an Interfax correspondent reported from the ground-breaking ceremony.

The wind farm, in the Rostov region in southern Russia, has capacity of 90 MW. It is expected to enter into service by the end of 2020, and will be able to generate around 320 GWh of clean energy each year once fully operational, avoiding the annual emission of around 260,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, Enel Russia said in a press release. The project will consist of 26 turbines spread across 133 hectares.

"Today, with the start of construction of the Azov wind farm, we are all participating in a historical milestone for Enel Russia and for the renewable sector in this country. The Azov wind project will boost the Rostov region's contribution to Russia's renewables strategy as well as supporting a virtuous, clean economy cycle locally and in the country as a whole," the press release quoted Carlo Palasciano Villamagna, General Director of Enel Russia, as saying.

Reports have said Enel Russia will invest 132 million euros in the project.

Enel Russia was awarded the Azov wind farm, along with the 201 MW Murmansk wind farm, for a total capacity of 291 MW, in the 2017 Russian government tender for the construction of 1.9 GW of wind capacity in the country. Enel Green Power is in charge of the development and construction of both projects. Enel Russia's overall investment in the two facilities amounts to approximately 405 million euros, with the investment on the 201 MW wind farm amounting to around 273 million euros. The Murmansk wind farm, which will generate 730 GWh per year, should be commissioned at the end of 201.

The head of Enel Russia told reporters on Thursday that work on the Murmansk wind farm should begin in the autumn of 2019. "In September, the autumn, depending on the weather, the conditions. It is very cold in the winter, and there are a lot of complications in the summer, it is not straightforward," he said.

Enel Russia, registered in Yekaterinburg, operates the Nevinnomysskaya GRES, Konakovskaya GRES, Sredneuralskaya GRES and Reftinskaya GRES power plants, located in southern Russia, the central part of the country and the Urals. Italian energy company Enel owns 56.43% of Enel Russia.