Vestas has erected turbines totalling 100GW worldwide following the installation of a V110-2MW machine for MidAmerican Energy’s Wind XI project in Iowa in the US.
The Danish manufacturer said it has installed over 66,000 turbines since 1979 in about 80 countries across six continents.
The first turbine erected was a V10-30kW machine in Denmark.
Vestas said the V110-2MW machines for the Wind XI project have been built at the company’s factories in Colorado.
It is also providing operations and maintenance for the up to 2GW wind complex.
Vestas president and chief executive Anders Runevad said: “We have pioneered wind energy across the globe for 40 years, and to install 100GW together with our customers and partners is something we are extremely proud of as it underlines how far Vestas and wind energy have come.
“It’s also a pleasure to celebrate this milestone with a key customer like MidAmerican Energy.
“Reaching this milestone has required continuous innovation, strong commitment and great execution from all Vestas’ employees, and the 100GW therefore represents a key part of the foundation that enables us to develop the sustainable energy solutions of the future.”
Vestas said that based on global average electricity, 100GW of wind energy saves about 129 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
This is equivalent to 141 billion pounds of burned coal, 298 million barrels of oil, 33 coal-fired power stations and carbon sequestered from 152 million acres of forest, the company said.
It added that the 100GW also represents about 10% of the world’s 1TW of installed wind and solar energy capacity.