Omexom Delivers SF6-Free Medium-Voltage Infrastructure for the Geldern Wind Farm
Connecting a wind farm to the grid is a complex engineering undertaking. It requires precise design, compliance with strict grid connection regulations, and infrastructure built to operate reliably for decades. But for the Geldern wind farm project, the challenge went further than technical performance.
SF6 gas has been the industry standard in medium-voltage switchgear for generations. It is effective, but it is also a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential thousands of times greater than CO₂. Specifying SF6-based switchgear for a renewable energy project presented a clear contradiction. The question was whether a cleaner alternative could meet the same technical demands at scale.
The Solution? Delivering 32 GWh of Renewable Energy, With Zero SF6
To achieve this technical milestone, Omexom in Germany was chosen to design and deliver the complete primary grid connection for the Geldern wind farm. The scope included installing a 20 MW power transformer in a custom-made housing and a transfer substation with switchgear that operates at both 10 kV and 20 kV. All components were engineered to meet strict technical requirements and grid connection standards.
Omexom worked with Ormazabal to develop a custom solution using vacuum-switching technology. This technology eliminates the need for SF6 gas, a greenhouse gas often used in switchgear, while still being fully compatible with existing cpg. 0-lite systems. Consequently, yielding a robust, environmentally friendly, and easily upgradable infrastructure.
Omexom’s team was responsible for the parameterization, protection schemes, and overall testing of the secondary and protection systems, ensuring that the system remains stable and secure in the long term. Throughout the project, Omexom also coordinated closely with Grünwerke GmbH, a subsidiary of Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, and its technology partner Ormazabal, focusing on precise engineering, clear communication, and timely delivery.
The wind farm, which has been connected to the grid since July 2025, is expected to supply renewable electricity to up to 9,000 households each year, generating about 32 GWh annually.
A Replicable Model for Sustainable Grid Development
As Europe accelerates its renewable energy goals, the choices we make about infrastructure now will impact energy network emissions for years to come. Omexom’s work at Geldern is not just limited to a single project; it serves as a replicable model for sustainable grid development. It shows that the energy transition goes beyond where the electricity comes from. It also involves the infrastructure that delivers it.
For Grünwerke, this project is a major milestone. It marks the first use of SF6-free switchgear in its network. This solution provides reliable primary distribution and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions in grid systems, an investment in both climate protection and long-term reliability.