Deutsches Windkraftmuseum
Open-air museum in Stemwede-Oppendorf on the history of modern wind energy, with around 20 restored wind turbines.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum goes back to an association founded in Stemwede in March 1999 to save early wind turbines and documents from the pioneering era of wind energy. Until 2019, the association and museum were called the Mühlenheider Windkraftmuseum; the renaming was intended to make its nationwide focus clear. The museum is run by around 200 volunteer members, many of them from the wind industry.
On the grounds in the Oppendorf district stand about 20 restored turbines, mostly from German manufacturers, with outputs ranging from a few kilowatts to 500 kilowatts – including machines by Enercon, Nordex, MAN and the Husumer Schiffswerft. Around 30 further turbines are stored in the depot and are being prepared for display step by step.
Between 2022 and 2024, an area with over 20 rotor blades was added. Special pieces include a 22-metre carbon-fibre blade from a research turbine of the 1980s and a section of a rotor blade from the large GROWIAN turbine. Models and hands-on stations explain how wind is turned into electricity.
Highlights
- Around 20 restored wind turbines in the open-air grounds
- Enercon E-40, one of the first gearless large-series turbines
- Rotor blade collection with over 20 blades
- Original component of the GROWIAN research turbine
Permanent exhibitions
- Windkraftanlagen im Freigelände – About 20 restored turbines from Germany and other European countries show the development of wind power generation since the pioneering years.
- Rotorblätter – Over 20 rotor blades from various manufacturers and home-built designs in a dedicated exhibition area.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Deutsches Windkraftmuseum e.V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Free guided tours with prior booking; the museum may combine groups. |
