Leitwind drives energy independence across Balkans

Leitwind makes wind turbines from 250 kW to 3 MW, engineered to perform efficiently under the full range of wind conditions in Southeastern Europe, from the calm Aegean islands to the stronger continental winds of Serbia, Thrace, or the Danube Basin.

The Balkans are entering a new phase of wind-energy development — one defined not by the largest turbines, but by smart, flexible, medium-scale solutions. Countries including Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina and North Macedonia are rapidly expanding their renewable portfolios while facing grid constraints, curtailment risks, and the growing need for decentralized energy supply.

Industrial zones, coastal communities, and remote mountainous regions increasingly require reliable, locally controlled generation that fits their terrain, their infrastructure, and their energy autonomy goals.

As the only Italian manufacturer of megawatt-class wind turbines, Leitwind offers an engineering approach tailor-made for this landscape — delivering advanced Direct-Drive turbines that combine efficiency, durability, and resilience in even the most demanding environments.

Smarter engineering for tougher terrains

At the center of Leitwind’s technology is its Direct-Drive generator, which eliminates the gearbox entirely — removing the single most failure-prone component in conventional wind turbines.

With fewer mechanical parts, Leitwind turbines ensure:

• Lower energy losses
• Minimal maintenance requirements
• Higher availability and longer operating life

These advantages are especially important in the Balkans, where wind projects often sit atop mountain ridges, on isolated plateaus, or along rugged coastlines. Leitwind’s portfolio — from 250 kW to 3 MW — is engineered to perform efficiently under the full range of regional wind conditions, from the calm Aegean islands to the stronger continental winds of Serbia, Thrace, or the Danube Basin.

Leitwind’s engineering philosophy is simple and powerful: Simplify the mechanics. Strengthen performance. Maximize lifetime.

Empowering energy autonomy in industry

A new trend is emerging across the Balkans: industrial self-generation.

Manufacturers, logistics hubs, agricultural units, and food-processing facilities are increasingly adopting on-site energy production to protect against volatile energy prices and grid interruptions.

Leitwind’s medium-scale turbines (250 kW – 2.0 MW):

• Enable self-generation directly at the point of consumption
• Integrate seamlessly into microgrids
• Support both grid-connected and stand-alone operation
• Require low maintenance, an essential benefit for industrial sites
• Offer compact footprints suitable for constrained areas

The result is a new level of operational resilience: companies produce clean, stable, low-cost electricity while simultaneously enhancing their environmental credentials.

Hybrid and island systems: independence by design

In island regions, remote communities, and areas with weak grid infrastructure — found in Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, and Montenegro — Leitwind turbines are increasingly deployed within hybrid systems combining wind, solar, and storage.

These systems:

• Create independent renewable microgrids
• Stabilize energy supply, even under poor grid conditions
• Reduce or eliminate diesel dependency
• Lower curtailment by absorbing excess production
• Ensure 24-hour renewable availability

Leitwind’s modular architecture allows easy transportation, installation, and maintenance — even in locations where access is limited or environmental conditions are harsh.

Revitalizing the Balkan wind fleet: a regional repowering imperative

Across the Balkans — including Greece — a substantial portion of the wind fleet consists of early-generation turbines, typically 500 kW to 1 MW, installed between the late 1990s and mid-2000s. After 20+ years of operation, these machines face escalating maintenance needs, reduced availability, and outdated control systems. Yet the sites they occupy remain among the most promising wind locations in the region, with valuable existing grid connections.

This landscape creates one of the most attractive repowering opportunities in Europe.

Leitwind’s Direct-Drive portfolio (250 kW – 3 MW) is engineered specifically to unlock this potential:

• Higher AEP through optimized aerodynamics
• Superior durability thanks to gearbox-free design
• Reduced O&M costs and fewer mechanical interventions
• Compliance with modern Balkan grid codes, including demanding voltage-ride-through and frequency-support functions
• Re-use of existing infrastructure, where applicable, reducing investment costs and permitting complexity

At many Balkan sites, replacing a cluster of old 660 kW–900 kW turbines with one or two modern Leitwind units can double the energy yield, significantly improve local grid stability, and extend the lifetime of the park by 20–25 years.

For developers, EPCs, and investors, modernizing these sites is not simply a technical improvement — it is a strategic and highly profitable modernization step.

With its proven direct-drive technology, adaptable tower configurations, and strong field presence across Southeastern Europe, Leitwind stands as the ideal partner for repowering projects that deliver greater performance with far fewer turbines.

Powering a regional wind renaissance

From industrial microgrids to island hybrid systems and fleet-wide repowering, Leitwind is redefining how wind energy supports energy independence across the Balkans. Its technology directly addresses the region’s three critical energy pillars:

• Efficiency, driven by Direct-Drive simplicity and aerodynamic optimization
• Autonomy, through on-site energy generation and decentralized solutions
• Resilience, enabled by hybrid integration and robust engineering

As the Balkans transition toward a cleaner, more decentralized, and more self-reliant energy landscape, Leitwind stands as a strategic partner and technology enabler — not merely supplying turbines, but powering long-term independence, reliability, and economic growth.

In a region where every kilowatt counts, Leitwind delivers not just wind turbines — but energy freedom.

For further inquiries, technical information, or commercial cooperation, write to info@leitwind.com or call +39 0472 722 000.

Leitwind is part of HTI Group.