At Windpark Zijpe, located in the Dutch province of North Holland, a modernized WES 80 wind turbine has been installed.
The project was developed by the Kennemerwind Energy Cooperative and replaces one of the original Lagerwey turbines from 1992.
The new WES turbine was initially designed for an annual yield of 180,000 kWh. However, within just the first four months, it had already produced 100,000 kWh.
Thanks to favourable wind conditions and improved efficiency, the total output after 2.5 years reached an impressive 500,000 kWh.
Because the turbine generated 20% more power than expected, all cooperative members also received 20% additional tax credit on their energy bills.
The community wind turbine is a strong example of how a small-scale project can deliver real local value - green power produced locally, with tangible benefits for the region.
Number of small wind turbines
Rotor diameter (meters)
Hub height (meters)
Maximum electrical output (kWh)
The community turbine in Zijpe began in 2018 as a joint project between Ecoways and Kennemerwind Energy Cooperative.
Rather than opting for an external developer, the team chose a local collaboration model - a new turbine, made possible through the involvement of local residents.
People from towns such as Burgerbrug, Schoorl, Bergen, Groet, and Petten were able to participate in the project through local investments. In return, they receive 15 years of tax benefits on the locally generated renewable electricity.
The cooperative now has 56 members, mainly private individuals, but also several local businesses.
The turbine components were pre-assembled in the workshop before transport.
Once ready, the gondel, hub, rotor blades, and control cabinet were delivered by truck to the installation site.
WES-model turbines fit inside a standard 40-foot container, making transport within and beyond the Netherlands straightforward and cost-effective.
After delivery, the main components were prepared for assembly.
The two tower sections came directly from production, were assembled on the ground, and fitted with internal cabling.
Then, the gondel, hub, and two rotor blades were pre-assembled and lifted onto the tower in a single operation using a crane.
Finally, the electrical connection was completed, and the community turbine was ready to operate.
Compared to electricity from a conventional power plant, the turbine in Zijpe has saved over 72 tons of CO₂ - equivalent to roughly 618,000 kilometres driven by car.
Per participant, this equals around 103 kg of CO₂ saved, or approximately 800 kilometres in a new, fuel-efficient car.
