Our largest ever wind turbine is now fully operational
And why this is another major proof point to wind’s key role in achieving energy independence
SG 14-236 DD PROTOTYPE | SERIES
Madrid / 23 March 2023
For the past months we have been following the installation of our largest offshore wind turbine, and now, the SG 14-236 DD prototype has produced its first power! The culmination of this massive R&D effort is one more step on Siemens Gamesa’s journey to develop the competitive and innovative products that the energy transition requires.
We have witnessed the journey of the installation of Siemens Gamesa's largest offshore wind turbine: from the beginning, when the nacelle left the factory in Brande, all the way to the installation of the rotor with its 115-meter-long blades.
With a capacity of up to 15 MW with Power Boost, this massive turbine will provide an increase of more than 30% in Annual Energy Production (AEP) compared to its predecessor.
Now that the first machine has reached its destination, the innovation journey will continue through testing and validation of the prototype before its deployment in the market.
We are doing our part, but we cannot succeed alone
The commissioning of this turbine is another step on Siemens Gamesa’s contribution to the energy transition. Wind-turbine manufacturers such as Siemens Gamesa are doing their part to overcome the challenge of building the wind turbines needed to meet ambitious international energy and climate goals. But the necessary capacity increase will require significant investments from all the relevant stakeholders along all stages of the lifecycle. This includes, for example, greater investments in the corresponding infrastructures, such as grids and ports.
Energy independence doesn’t come free of charge
Innovations – such as the design and development of bigger and more competitive wind turbines like the SG 14-236 DD – will be fundamental to achieve energy security. But this also comes with a huge R&D investment from wind turbine manufacturers – something which so far isn’t being acknowledged in the auction criteria.
When making the decision on a project-winning developer, it shouldn’t come down just to price. Siemens Gamesa and other OEMs and developers in Europe point to additional qualitative criteria, such as recyclability, technological innovation, project’s carbon footprint or its contribution to the European economy and value creation. This is important for the European wind industry to maintain its competitive advantage, but also to hold manufacturers around the world to higher standards that take the bigger picture into account.
The production of the first power of one of the world’s largest offshore turbines is another proof point in the wind energy discourse. The wind industry has already amply demonstrated its ability to be a key contributor to meeting the major challenge of our times – by achieving energy independence through domestic, clean, and competitive sources.
The full journey in images
