Denmark - Vestas is on track with the development of the V164-8.0 MW wind turbine

“We are getting closer to installation of the prototype every day, and it is very satisfying to see the first major parts of the V164-8.0 MW under completion. This turbine is truly going to be a game changer. When you stand beside the blade mould for the 80 metre long blades you can really sense the scale of the turbine,” says Executive Vice President and CTO, Anders Vedel.

The blade mould for the 80 metres long blade is located at Vestas’ facility in the Isle of Wight, UK. The production of the first blade for testing purposes will be initiated here during Q4 2012 and tested from Q1 2013. The prototype hub has been casted, and is also located in the Isle of Wight ready for testing.

According to Anders Vedel the complete drivetrain of the V164-8.0 MW turbine will be tested at Vestas’ facilities in Aarhus, Denmark on a test bench currently being built to the purpose. “Our capability to do in-house testing of the V164 gives us a competitive advantage. It improves the reliability of the turbine and thereby the business case certainty for the customers. The test bench will be commissioned in January 2013,” he says.

Vestas still expects the first prototype of the V164-8.0 MW turbine to be installed in Oesterild, Denmark during 2014. Turbine capacity of the V164 turbine increased to 8 MW

From the very beginning the V164 has been developed with a potential of increasing the turbine size. Today, Vestas announced that the turbine capacity of the V164 has been increased to 8 MW.

“As we progressed in the technology development it was clear that an 8 MW version of the turbine will offer lower cost of energy and at the same time keep the reliability and structural integrity of the turbine unchanged,” says Anders Vedel.

Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ more than 47,000 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by approximately 55 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence.

Today, Vestas has delivered wind energy in more than 70 countries, providing jobs for over 20,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world. With 65 per cent more megawatts installed than our closest competitor and more than 51 GW of cumulative installed capacity worldwide, Vestas is the world leader in wind energy.

The development of the game changing V164-8.0 MW turbine is progressing according to schedule and several main components are close to completion.