Vestas is introducing its low-wind turbine in India, where the government intends to add around 100GW in the predominantly low-wind market by 2030 as forecast by GWEC.
The V155-3.3MW machine improves the annual energy production (AEP) by more than 3% at a 300MW wind farm with 46 fewer turbines, creating an “improved level of business case certainty”, compared to the V120-2.2MW version.
Prototype installation is planned for the third quarter of 2021, while serial production is expected by the first quarter of 2022.
The V155-3.3MW increases the turbine’s swept area by 67% in comparison with a V120-2.2MW version.
It “significantly improves” the partial load production in low-wind conditions with a large rotor to rating ratio, Vestas said.
Vestas product management senior vice president Thomas Scarinci said: “With the introduction of the V155-3.3MW wind turbine, Vestas is connecting our proven 4MW platform technology with customised solutions to improve our customers’ business case in low and ultra-low wind conditions.
“With this product designed specifically to optimise energy production in low and ultra-low wind conditions, we are confident that we can bring enhanced value to our customers and partners in India and other suited markets.”
The turbine will be predominantly locally manufactured and sourced in India.
Vestas also open a new converter factory in Chennai and is expanding its blade factory in Ahmedabad.
These investments follow the previously announced new nacelle and hub factory in Chennai, which is under construction.
The production ramp-up will add around 1000 new jobs within the next year to the approximately 2600 staff employed by Vestas in India.
The expanded production setup in India will also act as a “strategic export hub”.
Built on the globally proven 4 MW platform, the V155-3.3 MW features a full-scale converter delivering “excellent grid compliance, faster active and reactive power during dynamic frequency and voltage events”.