Vestas has decided to install the V236-15MW offshore prototype wind turbine at the Osterild national test centre in Western Jutland, Denmark.
Installation of the prototype turbine will take place in the second half of 2022 and its first power is planned for the fourth quarter of that year, Vestas said.
The prototype – which will stretch 280 metres into the air with a production output of 80 gigawatt-hours a year – will be the tallest and most powerful wind turbine in the world once installed.
The company said that the turbine will be installed onshore to facilitate easy access for testing prior to installation, and the main prototype components will already have undergone thorough testing and verification at Vestas’ and its partners’ test facilities.
During the initial period of operations, Vestas will collect data needed to obtain a Type Certificate, which is a key step in reaching serial production of the turbine in 2024.
Vestas chief technology officer Anders Nielsen said: “Colleagues across Vestas have worked very hard and collaborated closely to ensure the rapid progress in developing and assembling the V236-15.0MW prototype, and this announcement is an important step forward for Vestas and our customers.
“Getting the prototype turbine in the ground will underline how the V236-15.0MW will raise the bar in terms of technological innovation, industrialisation and scale in the wind energy industry.”
The prototype development work has already progressed across Vestas’ R&D and production sites in Denmark.
The blade moulds have been developed at Vestas’ blade factory in Lem and the 115.5-metre long prototype blades will begin manufacturing later this year at the company’s offshore blade factory in Nakskov.
The nacelle will be developed and assembled at the offshore nacelle factory in Lindo port of Odense.
All large components will be preassembled and transported to Osterild, where installation will take place.
The new turbine was launched in February 2021.
Vestas secured its first pre-selected tenderer status for the V236-15.0MW unit in July for the 900MW He Dreiht project in Germany.