Vast landscape featuring wind turbines, a water body, and reeds in the foreground. Lush green fields under a blue sky.
STA02-windpark-westereems

Westereems wind farm

The first part of Westereems wind farm was delivered in 2009 and since then, three subprojects have been completed by RWE. The first phase involved building 52 Enercon E82 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3 megawatts. The construction of the Westereems wind farm enabled the old polder windmill Goliath to be supported. With finance from Essent, the miller’s house has been refurbished and turned into a beautiful venue for meetings. RWE receives groups for wind farm tours here.

In 2012, Westereems Wind Farm gained two test turbines as part of a reference project for a wind farm built by innogy in the North Sea consisting of 48 Senvion M6 turbines, each with a capacity of 6.15 megawatts. Both turbines were constructed using different components wherever possible in order to enable the best technologies for offshore wind farms to be identified onshore.

Two turbines from the wind farm were removed to make room for a helicopter landing spot to be provided for the site. RWE has been given two new positions at the site for these turbines which were constructed in 2020. As a result of the redevelopment of this part of the wind farm, Westereems consists of 50 Enercon E82 turbines, 2 Senvion M6 turbines and two Lagerweij L136 turbines in 2020.

Facts & figures

00

Number of turbines

50 x 3 MW, 2 x 6,15 MW and 2 x 4,5 MW

98 - 00 m

Shaft height

00 MW

Installed capacity

since 2020

00

Electricity production (in annual consumption of households)

2009, 2012 and 00

Delivered in

In 00

Completion of the 'Black Blade' study

Black blade for safer bird flight paths

Between late 2021 and 2025, the Province of Groningen, RWE, and TNO investigated whether painting one wind turbine blade black helps birds to fly safely between turbines. Previous research in Norway showed that this measure could reduce bird fatalities by up to 70% for certain species. The Groningen study focused on the Dutch situation, with different bird species and landscape. Manual counting provided limited insight into the numbers and behavior of birds at turbines with and without a black-painted blade.

Painting of the blade in 2022

Results

Therefore, the research was expanded with a new study by TNO, using sensors, cameras, and a radar system in and around the turbines to gain better insights. The study was completed in early 2025 and shows that a single black blade does not result in a significant reduction in bird collisions, possibly due to insufficient contrast with the surroundings. However, this does not mean that visible rotor blades are never effective: positive results have been achieved at Smøla and in South Africa. Further research is needed into bird vision and behavior, as well as testing other patterns and colors that provide greater contrast. Combining studies will help to better assess the effects in different locations.

More information about the study and the results can be found on the website of the Province of Groningen (in Dutch).

Find out more about this study at rwe.com.

Explanation of the new TNO research

Turbine Bat Trace Research

On January 1, 2026, the TURBINE BAT TRACE project started. With support from RVO, Dopplium is working on BatGuardian, an innovative radar system that uses artificial intelligence to detect bats around wind turbines in real time. This allows turbines to be stopped only when bats are actually nearby, providing better protection for bats and reducing unnecessary energy losses.

Together with TNO and RWE, BatGuardian is being extensively tested on an operational RWE wind turbine in the Eemshaven. TNO provides independent validation using thermal cameras and sensors, with measurements taking place over two bat activity seasons. This yields valuable insights into bat behavior around wind turbines.

The project also explores applications at sea, aiming to make wind energy even more wildlife-friendly in the future. In this way, Dopplium contributes to a sustainable and responsible growth of wind energy, supported by data and technological innovation. The research will continue until the end of 2027.

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