The Austrian energy company PÜSPÖK, a leader in the field of electricity generation through wind power and photovoltaics and one of the largest wind farm operators in Austria, is implementing its first wind power project in Carinthia with the Bärofen wind farm. The wind farm, whose development began more than ten years ago, is being built on the Koralpe in the municipality of Frantschach-St. Gertraud at an altitude of 1,600 to 1,700 meters.
Project with vision and responsibility for future generations
Lukas Püspök, Managing Director of PÜSPÖKemphasizes: “As an Austrian company, we have strong roots in our homeland and act with regional responsibility in all of our projects, be it wind power or photovoltaics. The implementation of the Bärofen wind farm takes on a special position due to the very long lead time and the necessary perseverance of all those involved in the project,” and adds: “With our first wind farm in the region, which is also the first EIA-tested wind farm in Carinthia, “We are taking a decisive step towards a long-term, cost-effective, import-independent and secure energy supply for Carinthia.”
PÜSPÖK acquired the project from the company ECOwind, an experienced specialist with many years of expertise in wind and solar projects. Emphasized on this ECOwind Managing Director Johann Janker: “The Bärofen wind farm is a showcase project that combines modern technology and sustainable energy production. Together with PÜSPÖK we are creating a further basis for a future-oriented energy supply for Carinthia.”
In 2011, the Bärofen wind farm project was first presented to the local council of the market town of Frantschach-St. by Franz Dorner from Kamp. Gertraud introduced. “Since the beginning, we have always been involved in all development and planning steps
“, so Mayor Günther Vallantwho thanks Windpark Bärofen GmbH for the good cooperation. Important infrastructure such as power supply, forestry and access roads and the expansion of broadband internet are made available for rural areas in the market town; this would not be possible without the investment. Finally, after a complex, transparent EIA process, a partnership agreement for sustainable collaboration was agreed in writing with the local community and the private childcare facility “Kamper Käferlein”. The market town of Frantschach-St. Gertraud welcomes the takeover of the Bärofen GmbH wind farm by the family business PÜSPÖK from Burgenland.“We have always been involved in all development and planning steps since the beginning”
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Franz Dorner, Project initiator, neighbor of the project and Carinthian renewable energy pioneer, is still part of the project team after the takeover by PÜSPÖK and works as a partner in the project. He highlights the importance of the new owner: “With PÜSPÖK, an Austrian pioneering company is taking over one of the country’s most important energy projects. Personally, I am particularly pleased that it is not a large corporation, but a family business where the head of the company is also on site.”
Wind power closes the “winter power gap” and ensures a long-term clean and affordable energy supply for Carinthia
Once completed, the Bärofen wind farm will make a significant contribution to ensuring that there is more renewable electricity in the Carinthian grid even in the winter months. The majority of the plants’ electricity generation will take place in the winter months, a time when other important technologies such as hydropower and photovoltaics can produce less electricity. “Our more than 25 years of experience, a strong team and reliable project partners enable us to successfully implement and operate even complex energy projects. When expanding renewable energy, maintaining an intact environment goes hand in hand with independence from fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal. Only with much more clean and cheap electricity will we sustainably secure the business location.”
so Lukas Püspök finally.