Siemens developed the SWT-6.0 specifically for the demanding conditions in offshore locations.
The first unit was installed in 2011 at the Høvsøre test site in Denmark with a 120 m rotor. It has now operated for well over a year, setting new production records during the testing. The second 6-MW-prototype with a 154 m rotor was installed in 2012 at the new national test center at Østerild, Denmark.
In January 2013, Siemens installed two additional SWT-6.0 prototypes in the British offshore wind power plant at DONG Energy`s demonstration project Gunfleet Sands III. Both machines for this project are equipped with the 120 m rotor.
At the beginning of this month, Siemens Wind Power has received offshore prototype certification from GL Renewables Certification (GL RC) for testing its new 6 megawatt offshore wind turbine at DONG Energy’s Gunfleet Sands III demonstration project in the UK.
The following is a video about this pioneering work from Siemens:
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Offshore WIND Staff, March 15, 2013; Image: Siemens