the Wind Farm in Cairo Montenotte (Savona)
The "Valbormida" wind farm takes place in the Northern-east of Montenotte Superiore, on the border crest nearest to the Municipality of Albisola Superiore (between La Crocetta and Cima della Biscia).
The lay-out of the plant covers a linear extension of about 1 km., and it between 780 and 830 m. above sea-level, entirely inside the Pontinvrea Municipality.
The project for the plant is entirely designed by FERA, which also coordinated its building and will manage its maintenance.
It counts six turbines and is the biggest wind farm in Liguria.
Companies which are leader in the European market with regard to their specific sectors have been involved during each setting-up phase.
The electric cabins were built according to the typical style of local tool sheds, this way integrating the best way this sort of buildings to the environment and impact as less as possible on the landscape.
The construction is almost completed: five among the six Enercon E-53 turbines with a power of 800 kW each are assembled;
the last one will be working as at the end of 2009.
Enercon E-53 turbines are an innovative technology: they consist of blades properly designed to maximise wind exploitation, gearless, variable speed turbine, with remote monitoring and control systems.
| Rated power | 800 kW |
| Rotor diameter | 53 m |
| Hub height | 57±2 m |
| Rotor type | Upwind rotor with active pitch control |
| Rotoro n. blades: | 3 |
| Rotational speed | Variable: 16-30 rpm |
Energy annual production is estimated about 10800 MWh: according to data collected by the GRTN (Gestore Rete di Trasmissione Nazionale – the Italian Manager for the Energy Network) the wind farm can entirely supply Cairo inhabitants.
Benefits in terms of greenhouse gas emissions avoided are consequently significant and can be quantified in t/year as follow:
| Polluting agent | CO2 | SO2 | NOx | Polveri | Ceneri | Petrolio |
| t/year | 10800 | 70.6 | 49.2 | 6.4 | 588 | 4600 |
Cairo Montenotte Municipality, thanks to FERA’s wind farm, actively contributes to the respect of the Kyoto General Agreement and represents a virtuous example for the energetic sustainability.
