Wind energy: World

Vestas’ first V164-8.0 MW prototype wind turbine has successfully produced its first kWh of electricity, making it the worlds’ most powerful turbine in operation.

“We have now completed the production, testing, and installation of the V164-8.0 MW as planned, thanks to the team’s intense effort during a time when Vestas has reduced its investments and lowered fixed costs. We now look forward to evaluating the turbine’s performance on site,” says Vestas’ Chief Technology Officer Anders Vedel.

The turbine, installed at the Danish National Test Centre for Large Wind Turbines in Østerild, will be closely monitored in the coming months to further validate reliability and energy output. The turbine’s installation is a key milestone towards ensuring maximum business case certainty for customers investing in offshore wind. The V164-8.0 MW will be the flagship product for the offshore joint venture between Vestas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

“The V164-8.0 MW delivers industry-leading power output, based on Vestas’ proven technology solutions. Combined with the experience and capabilities of both Vestas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, this puts us in a strong position in the growing offshore market,” says Jens Tommerup, President of Vestas Offshore.

The V164-8.0 MW turbine is the world’s most powerful, with one unit capable of supplying electricity for 7,500 average European households. With a 140-metre tower, the turbine at Østerild has a tip height of 220 meters. The swept area of more than 21,000 m2, equal to three football pitches, increases the amount of energy captured, while reducing operational and maintenance costs by enabling customers to run fewer, larger turbines, with fewer service visits.

Given the necessary pipeline of orders, serial production of the V164-8.0 MW turbine can begin in 2015.