A significant milestone has been achieved within the framework of the CRETE VALLEY project. On 20 March 2026, the project’s first electricity‑generating windmill entered experimental operation. The installation took place at the Hellenic Mediterranean University, carried out by the Power Systems Synthesis Laboratory.
Inspired by the iconic windmills of the Lassithi Plateau, the electric windmill represents a unique combination of cultural heritage and modern engineering. Its design is based on the structural principles of the traditional Lassithi windmill, which first appeared around 1890 and was historically used for water pumping to support local irrigation. These windmills became a defining feature of the Plateau, with their numbers peaking at around 10,000 in the 1950s.
Building on this heritage, the modern electric windmill adapts the traditional concept to meet contemporary energy needs. Retaining key design elements, such as the six‑sail structure, it has been developed in accordance with IEC 61400‑2 (Ed. 3.0), the standard for small wind turbines. The system features a rotor diameter of 5.5 metres and a rated power of 2 kW at a wind speed of 12 m/s.
Currently in its testing phase, the electric windmill will generate valuable data for evaluating its performance and will contribute to the future development of the project. The next steps include the construction of two additional windmills, which will be installed on the Lassithi Plateau.
This achievement marks an important step forward for CRETE VALLEY, demonstrating how traditional knowledge and modern technology can be effectively combined to address today’s energy challenges.
Source: https://cretevalley.eu/first-electricity-generating-windmill-installed/
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