Siemens installs prototype of 4-MW offshore wind turbine

Dec 19, 2012 - German engineering group Siemens AG (ETR:SIE) said today it had installed a prototype of its new 4-MW offshore wind turbine off the coast of Denmark, near the town of Osterild.

The SWT-4.0 machine is based on key technologies proved with its predecessor, SWT-3.6, which is currently the market leader in offshore wind power.

Initially, the prototype 4-MW turbine is equipped with a standard 120-m (394-ft) rotor. However, Siemens said it would upgrade it with a 130-m rotor using 63-m rotor blades, with which it will enter the market in the spring of 2013. Serial production is due to start in 2015.

According to Henrik Stiesdal, chief technology officer of Siemens's wind power division, the SWT-4.0 will allow customers to get a faster return on investment than the proven SWT-3.6.

So far, a total 500 units of the 3.6-MW machine have been installed, with another 1,200 units on order, Siemens said.

The German group is also working on a 6-MW turbine for the offshore wind market.

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