Erkelenz (iwr-pressedienst) – The MLK Group has officially commissioned the Erkelenz-Holzweiler wind farm. The event on 20 October 2026 was attended by, amongst others, Oliver Krischer, Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia; Christel Honold-Ziegahn, Deputy Mayor of the town of Erkelenz; and MLK Managing Director Heinrich Lohmann.
With a combined capacity of 14.4 megawatts and a total height of 250 metres, the two Vestas V172-7.2 MW turbines are currently the most powerful and tallest wind turbines in the Heinsberg district. They are forecast to generate 37 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is equivalent to the energy requirements of around 9,900 households. The hub height is 164 metres and the rotor diameter is 172 metres. When it comes to the electrical infrastructure, MLK relies on future-proof technology: the switchgear operates without the climate-damaging insulating gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆).
Environment Minister sees evidence of wind energy expansion
Minister Oliver Krischer emphasised the importance of the project for the expansion of renewable energy and referred to the structural change taking place: where lignite had shaped the landscape and everyday life for decades, cleaner electricity is now being generated from wind power. The Rhineland mining region will remain an energy-producing region – in future, powered by wind and sun.
Heinrich Lohmann, Managing Director of the MLK Group: “For me, the commissioning of the plant in Holzweiler brings things full circle: as early as the beginning of the 1990s, I worked with the Erkelenz branch of BUND to plan our first wind turbines in the vicinity of the Garzweiler opencast mine. The fact that we are now here demonstrates the transformation of the region, which we are continuing to actively drive forward through renewable energy and community involvement.”
The wind farm is part of MLK’s expansion programme in the Erkelenz, Linnich and Titz area, with a planned capacity of 210 MW. Members of the public can participate in the projects through subordinated loans and an energy co-operative.
Key figures for the Erkelenz-Holzweiler wind farm
Type: New
build Turbines: 2
Turbine type: Vestas V172-7.2 MW
Hub height: 164 m
Rotor diameter: 172 m
Total height: 250 m
Capacity: 7.2 MW per turbine / Total: 14.4 MW
Total annual output: 37 million kWh
Annual electricity supply: 9,900 households
