Siemens Gamesa to Test ‘World’s Most Powerful’ Wind Turbine Prototype in Denmark

January 12, 2024, by Adnan Memija

Siemens Gamesa will install and test what has been described by the European Union (EU) as the “world’s most powerful offshore wind turbine prototype” at the Østerild National Test Centre in Denmark, before later starting full-scale production of its “next-generation” offshore wind turbine model.

The wind turbine manufacturer did not disclose what rating the new turbine will have although it would certainly need to be larger than Vestas’ 15 MW model which the company is currently testing at the centre in Denmark.

Siemens Gamesa received a EUR 30 million grant from the EU for this “Highly Innovative Prototype of the most Powerful Offshore Wind turbine generator” (HIPPOW) project.

According to the EU document, the project will validate several new technological developments related to nominal power, bearings, electrical system, installation of blades and tower, cooling system, and maintenance strategy, among others.

The prototype will supply enough green energy to power around 7,000 average Danish households every year, according to the document.

The construction date is set for 1 April while the entry into operation date is 31 December, according to the EU document.

The company is currently testing its prototype SG 14-236 DD offshore wind turbine at the test centre in Denmark. The unit, which can reach a capacity of up to 15 MW with the company’s Power Boost feature, was installed in February 2023.

Last year, Mingyang rolled out its MySE 18.X-20MW wind turbine at its Shanwei manufacturing base in China. As the world’s largest offshore wind turbine in capacity and rotor diameter, the unit features flexible power ratings ranging from 18.X to 20 MW, according to the company.

In October 2023, Mingyang also unveiled a new offshore wind turbine model with a rated capacity of 22 MW with development set to start between 2024 and 2025.

Another wind turbine OEM, GE, revealed the next-generation Haliade-X turbine in an investors’ call in March of last year, when Scott L. Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, said the offshore wind market was receptive of its Haliade-X variant that has a capacity of between 17 MW and 18 MW. The company’s most powerful Haliade-X turbine at this time has an output of 14.7 MW.