Vestas has unveiled a new variant of its EnVentus wind turbine platform with a V138-3MW model.
The V138-3MW machine, which adds to the V162-5.6MW and V150-5.6MW models launched in January, features a 138-metre rotor and 83-metre tower.
The Danish manufacturer said the rotor provides a large rotor-size-to-generator-rating ratio.
Vestas added that the V138-3MW has a global application but is “purposely designed to maximise performance under market specific constraint conditions”.
The turbine offers a swept area under 152.4 metres, which is relevant in the US, but, at the same time, the machine’s leading sound power levels makes it suitable for low wind sites in sound sensitive markets, such as France, the company said.
Prototype installation is expected by the second half of 2020, while serial production is scheduled for the first half of 2021.
Vestas president of the sales and service division in the US and Canada Chris Brown said: “The V138-3MW underlines Vestas ability to continuously innovate and lead the industry in developing customisable and sustainable energy solutions that meet our customers’ needs.
“This turbine is a perfect match for the North American market where higher certainty in annual energy production at park level will become increasingly important for our customers to secure project financing and ensure profitability in a post-PTC market.”
Vestas chief technology officer Anders Vedel said: “With the introduction of the V138-3MW, we take another step forward in versatility and scalability of functional systems, demonstrating modular product development’s huge potential and how it supports our vision to become the global leader in sustainable energy solutions.
“I’m proud that, by utilising many of the same components as the first two turbines, we can introduce the V138-3MW to meet customer requirements while lowering the levelised cost of energy and optimising the value chain.”
Vestas launched the new turbine during the AWEA Windpower 2019 conference in Houston, Texas, which runs from 20 to 23 May.