Global: Gamesa unveils the debut model from its new 3.3 MW platform: the G132-3.3 MW turbine for medium wind speeds

Gamesa, a global leader in wind technology, has launched the first model from its new 3.3 MW platform: the Gamesa G132-3.3 MW, designed especially for medium wind speeds. The company presented this product at European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) 2015, one of the sector's hallmark events, which is taking place in Paris (France) between 17 and 20 November.

"This new product is the only turbine in the market designed for medium wind speeds which combines a 132-m rotor with nominal unit capacity of 3.3 MW. This guarantees an optimal capacity factor and, by extension, maximising output", explained José Antonio Malumbres, Gamesa's Chief Technology Officer. "A team of 50 engineers located all over the world is working on the development of this new turbine which will absorb over 150,000 engineering hours and 86 technological innovations patented by Gamesa", he added.

Technological excellence

The new platform builds from the technology proven in the company's 2.0 MW and 2.5 MW platforms, installed in 35 countries (cumulative installed capacity: 20.9 GW), by leveraging the same mechanical and electrical systems but boosting nominal capacity to 3.3 MW.

Moreover, this new turbine's blade, which is made from fibreglass and stretches 64.5 metres, features a new family of aerodynamic edges which increase annual output while minimising noise emissions. The new turbine also comes in four different tower heights, which range from 84 to 134 metres, so that it can be tailored for each region's specific requirements.

As a result of this combination of technologies, the G132-3.3 MW delivers 50% and 30% more energy than the G114-2.0 MW and G114-2.5 MW (both also turbines for class II winds), respectively.

The first G132-3.3 MW prototype will be installed in mid-2016, while serial production is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2017. The company expects to secure type certification by 2017.

These turbines not only produce more energy in medium wind speed conditions, they also contribute to the effort to contain climate change: a wind farm equipped with ten G132-3.3 MW turbines would generate sufficient equivalent energy to supply a town of around 50,000 inhabitants and prevent the emission of 49,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide (equivalent to the emissions of 16,500 cars).

The most versatile product on the market

This new 3.3 MW platform - targeted primarily at the European, Mexican, Canadian, Australian and South African markets - together with Gamesa's tried and tested 2.0 MW (with rotor options of 80, 87, 90, 97 and 114 metres), 2.5 MW (rotors: 106, 114 and 126 metres) and 5.0 MW platforms (rotors: 128 and 132 metres) makes up one of the most complete and versatile portfolios on the market, enabling Gamesa to meet 100% of global demand needs.