WKN Windkraft Nord GmbH is established. The company's purpose and objective are to develop wind farms.
1990
WKN founded
1993
First wind farm in operation
Commissioning of the first wind farm in Hedwigenkoog, Northern Germany. With 2.25 MW, the largest wind farm in Germany at that time.
1994–97
Further successes in Schleswig-Holstein
WKN constructs five further wind farms in Schleswig-Holstein. Wind power turbines of the 500 and 600 kilowatt categories are installed.
1998–99
Realisation within short period
In a period of two years, 10 wind farms with a total of 67 wind turbines are erected. Moreover, a wind turbine of the 1.65 MW category is commissioned, followed by the first 2 MW wind turbine.
2000
WKN becomes a corporation (AG) and expands abroad
On January 1, WKN Windkraft Nord and its parent company, BGZ Beteiligungsgesellschaft Zukunftsenergien, change their company form and become public companies. In September, WKN together with the holding BGZ AG and its other subsidiaries moves into the "Haus der Zukunftsenergien" (House of Future Energies) in Husum. With this step, the idea of a competence centre for the use of regenerative energy sources has become reality.
Moreover WKN takes up business activities abroad. The first target market is Spain, where WKN signs a cooperation agreement with a local planner in 2000. In the same year, a further cooperation agreement is reached in Poland.
2001
Commissioning of the biggest wind farm of WKN so far
In August, WKN commissions its biggest wind farm so far. The Apensen wind farm consists of 21 wind turbines of the 1.65 MW category.
WKN USA Inc. is founded in the USA as a 100% subsidiary of WKN AG.
2002
Regional office in France and a joint venture in Italy established
At the beginning of the year, WKN opens its own regional office in France, which serves to identify appropriate sites and secure project rights. In Italy, WKN concludes a joint venture with Aero-Sol, a local partner.
2003
First wind farm with protection concept
As a worldwide novelty, WKN erects the first wind farm with a completely new protection concept provided by the turbine manufacturer. On the Zitz-Warchau wind farm, 20 NEG Micon 1.5 MW wind turbines are installed.
2004
Construction of the biggest wind farm of WKN so far
At the end of the year, WKN Windkraft Nord AG constructs its biggest wind farm so far in Porep-Jännersdorf in Brandenburg (Germany) with 31 wind turbines and 2 MW installed capacity each.
2005
Sale of the first project abroad
WKN sells the first foreign project Francofonte, Sicily (Italy), with a total nominal capacity of 72 MW.
2006
Further international successes
WKN sells further German projects to international investors. The Italian wind farm Francofonte is constructed. WKN sells its first US project (Snyder wind farm) to one of the biggest energy suppliers in the world. At the end of the year, WKN sells international projects in Poland, Italy and Spain to an internationally operating enterprise.
WKN and Siemens Project Ventures establish a joint venture with Innovative Wind Concepts GmbH (IWC) for the development of wind energy projects in Eastern and Central Europe.
2007
Handover of Francofonte wind farm in Italy
WKN hand over Francofonte, the first Italian turn-key wind farm, to the investor. The Karstädt wind farm in Brandenburg (Germany) with a total nominal output of 20 MW is completed.
2008
Project sales in France, Sicily and Germany
WKN sells, among others, projects in France (130 MW) and Sicily (58 MW). In September, WKN sells the Brandenburg-based Wehrhain wind farm with a total installed capacity of 16 MW to a Dutch investor.
2010
Sale of wind farms in Brandenburg and Poland
In June 2010, WKN sells the Lübbenau wind farm in Brandenburg with a total installed capacity of 16 MW to a Swiss group of companies. At the end of the year, an investment company acquires the 50 MW wind farm Bardy in Poland, which was developed by WKN.
2011
Change of WKN's name
In mid-2011, the Husum-based group merges its companies in order to enhance procedures and focus on the WKN AG brand. WKN Windkraft Nord AG is now called WKN AG.
2012
Sale of German turn-key wind farms
WKN again sells several German turn-key wind farms to international investors.
2013
Majority shares in WKN purchased by PNE WIND AG
Mid-year, the majority shares in WKN AG are purchased by PNE WIND AG headquartered in Cuxhaven, Germany. WKN AG continues to operate as an independent brand.
2014
Commissioning and sale of numerous projects
The WKN Group hands over numerous German turn-key wind farms to various investors and successfully realises the repowering project Weidehof. The French Dargies project, which was sold in autumn 2013, is being erected and commissioned on schedule.
2015
Sale of the Westerengel wind farm
At the end of the year, WKN AG sells the turn-key wind farm Westerengel.
2016
Framework agreement with the John Laing Group
At the beginning of the year, WKN concludes a framework agreement with the John Laing Group for various projects in France. In the same year, the French wind farms Sommette-Eaucourt and Saint Martin l’Ars are sold to the investor John Laing.
2017
WKN achieves significant sales successes
The Kirchenengel wind farm in Thuringia is sold completely. In addition, the company sells the Laxaskogen wind farm in Sweden, project rights in the USA and the two French wind farms Longèves and Riaucourt.
2018
Change of WKN's legal form and great success in Europe
WKN changes its legal form to a limited liability company (GmbH) and becomes a 100% subsidiary of PNE AG.
WKN is awarded the contract for the Barwice (42 MW) and Jasna (132 MW) projects in the Polish wind tender. The Barwice project is sold in the same year. In addition, project rights for three further French wind farms and the French Laperrière wind farm with 19.2 MW are sold. WKN is also selling further projects in Italy at the same time. The French wind farms Sommette and Saint Martin are handed over to the investor John Laing Group plc on schedule after commissioning. The Groß Niendorf wind farm in Schleswig-Holstein also starts its operations.
Moreover WKN and its subsidiary WKN WERTEWIND GmbH are the first companies to be awarded the "Fairer Windparkplaner Schleswig-Holstein" seal (seal for wind farm planners with fair practices).
2019
Sales and start of construction of projects in Poland and Sweden
In Sweden, the Laxaskogen wind farm is completed. Another Swedish wind farm Målarberget is sold, construction starts in the same year. In addition, WKN's largest project to date, the Polish Jasna wind farm with a total nominal output of 132 MW, is sold.
2020
Great progress in Poland and Sweden
In Poland, the Barwice and Jasna wind farms are completed with a total nominal output of 174 MW. In addition, the construction of two further Polish projects starts. Further German wind farms can be commissioned and go into the PNE Group's own portfolio.
2021
2,000 MW nominal power
WKN is successful in different markets including Poland and Germany and exceeds the mark of 2,000 MW installed rated output.
2022
New Managing Director at WKN
In the middle of the year, Dr Jan Messer was appointed as the new managing director of WKN GmbH, succeeding Gabriel Meurer, who went into well-earned retirement at the end of September.
In addition, the "Gnutz I" wind farm was commissioned for own operation of the PNE Group, the construction of wind farms on behalf of customers in Sweden, Poland and France continued and further projects were developed nationally and internationally.