Vestas' V164-8.0 MW prototype offshore wind turbine has produced its first kilowatt-hour of electricity, which the company says makes the machine the world's most powerful turbine in operation.
The turbine, installed at the Danish National Test Centre for Large Wind Turbines in Osterild, will be closely monitored in the coming months to further validate reliability and energy output. With a 140-meter tower, the turbine at Osterild has a tip height of 220 meters.
"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," comments Vestas' Chief Technology Officer Anders Vedel.
Vestas says the V164-8.0 MW will be the flagship product for its offshore joint venture with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, established in September 2013. Given the necessary pipeline of orders, Vestas expects serial production of the V164-8.0 MW turbine can begin in 2015.
