Less than a decade ago, around 50 percent of Greece’s energy was derived from lignite, or “brown coal.” Fast forward to the present, the country’s commitment is to shutter its last coal plant by 2028. As a result, it has big plans for renewable energy. A contribution to this initiative is the Magoula wind farm in Greece’s Western Macedonia region. Tractebel’s renewable energy experts are providing project and site management services for the 27 MW wind farm that is under construction.
Tractebel as Owner’s Engineer
Client Valrea, a subsidiary of the Valorem group, has entrusted Tractebel as Owner’s Engineer for Construction Management Services. To execute the mandate, Tractebel has appointed a project manager to oversee the construction activities and a site manager to secure proper execution of the works onsite. An expert in civil works and wind turbine foundations and an electrical expert will further support the project .
Construction of the Magoula wind farm is underway
A total of six Vestas V150-4.5 MW wind turbines will be installed on Askion Mountain, at altitudes from 1,600 to 1,900 meters. To access the site, 9 kilometers of new roads will be constructed. The Magoula wind farm will be connected to an existing power substation via a 14.7 km, 33kV interconnection line.
The project execution began in March 2023 and is slated for completion in early 2024.
Turbines will be erected on Askion Mountain, between 1,600 and 1,900 meters above sea level
Magoula to replace fossil fuels, to the benefit of people and planet
Renewable energy projects, solar and wind projects in particular, form the basis of the energy transition in Europe and especially in Greece. The Magoula wind farm will replace energy produced by fossil fuels and will further increase the country’s energy security.
The project will contribute to the decarbonization of the Western Macedonia region, which for years was the energy heart of Greece due to its abundance of lignite power plants.
Local communities will benefit from the Magoula wind farm via a number of compensation measures such as donations of works or equipment, lower electricity bills, as well as the appointment of local contractors and workforce.
“This is a project for which Tractebel’s Greek branch provides an extensive array of construction management services. Tractebel will use its vast experience in the field to bring the project to fruition within the critical parameters of the contractual scheme applied, tackling quality, time schedule and budget issues. With Greece’s huge steps forward in the energy transition, we expect that applying our expertise and experience to the Magoula wind farm project will pave the way for upcoming projects in the Greek renewable energy sector.”
Theodoros Kotsonis, Senior Project Manager, Tractebel in Germany, Greek Branch