Nordex has unveiled a new variant of its Delta4000 5.X series of turbines featuring a larger, 163-metre rotor.
The N163/5.X unit, which will be launched a the Husum Wind Fair next month, will be pitched a lower wind speed sites and brings rotor size on from the 149-metre N149/5.X machine.
Single piece blades of 80 metres are based on the glass fibre/carbon fibre concept used by the N149 turbines, said the company.
The 163-metre unit can achieve a swept areas of 20.867 square metres and can yield up to 20% more power than the N149.
Tower heights of between 118 metres and 164 metres will be offered as well as a cold climate version.
Series production is expected to start in 2021. All main components including the nacelle and gearbox, are the same as the N149.
Nordex commission TUV SUD to carry out type certification of the N149/5.X and N163/5.X.
Type certification is recognised internationally for establishing wind turbines comply with global standards.
In its financial results for the first half of 2019 Nordex’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation stood at €17.1m, down from €38.4m in the same period of 2018.
The company attributed the result to lower construction figures and turbine sales attributable to the installation schedules of customers’ projects.
Nordex chief executive Jose Luis Blanco said: “We are fully prepared for significantly higher activity levels in the second half of the year and confirm our guidance for 2019.
“The transformation of our supply chain is also making progress. As already indicated, we will make additional investments in blade production to enable us to meet the higher than originally anticipated demand for the Delta4000 series and to support profitable growth in 2020 and beyond.”
In the first six months of 2019, Nordex installed 242 wind turbines in 13 countries with a combined output of 778MW, compared with 934MW in the same period in 2018.
Due to the lower installation figures, sales in the projects segment reached €810.7m in the reporting period, compared with €797.1m in the same period last year.