“We fully anticipate the 14MW platform, which includes the SG 14-222 and SG 14-236, to be installed in thousands of units, truly industrializing the platform and, by extension, the offshore wind sector as well,” explains Peter. “Moreover, all the ecosystems supporting the product will also ramp up, including the servicing regime, component suppliers, equipment, tools, and installation vessels, to name just a few.”
Whereas the product development cycle in offshore wind has been marked by frequent updates, Siemens Gamesa will concentrate on building up this single platform for the foreseeable future. This will enable the entire value chain, including numerous suppliers, to realize economies of scale and further mature the industry.
A superior platform
Featuring a rotor length of 222 meters, the impressive SG 14-222 direct drive wind turbine has been designed to be a powerful workhorse capable of generating over 3MW more than the previous generation. Apart from output gains, the turbine is more efficient and costs less to install and maintain, from a windfarm perspective.
The 60 units at Moray West will provide 882MW of electricity, enough power for around one million British households. The new platform will also be installed in other geographical regions, including the US and APAC, so resilience in the face of extreme weather – not uncommon in the North Sea – has been factored into the design.
