The tallest and most powerful wind turbine in the world will be constructed at the Østerild test center for green energy in Thy municipality, located in the northwest of the Jutland Peninsula.
Vestas is developing a giant 280m wind turbine. (Photo: Vestas)
The prototype wind turbine from engineering company Vestas stands at 280 meters tall, just slightly shorter than the Eiffel Tower (324 m). The height of the turbine alone is enough to set a world record, according to Peter Hjuler Jensen from the Department of Wind Energy at the Technical University of Denmark. Vestas describes the future installation as set to become the tallest and most powerful wind turbine globally once completed.
The new turbine, named V236-15.0 MW, features three blades, each measuring 115.5 meters in length, and a rotor diameter of 236 meters, equivalent to two football fields. The turbine will generate 80 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to power 20,000 households. Construction of this turbine is scheduled for 2022, with production expected to commence in 2024.
According to Vestas, the prototype will be installed onshore to facilitate easier testing. Most of the main components of the prototype will undergo rigorous scrutiny at Vestas’ testing facility and with partners.
Denmark is considered one of the world leaders in wind energy utilization. In 2020, the total output from wind and solar power accounted for more than half of Denmark’s electricity supply. The country aims to increase this share to 84% by 2035.
