Vestas Introduces Low-Wind Variant to Expand Footprint in India

To help meet the growing demand in India, Vestas is introducing the V155-3.3 MW turbine optimised for low and ultra-low wind conditions.

The global demand for sustainable energy solutions in low and ultra-low wind areas continues to grow as renewable technology improves in efficiency and cost. This trend is especially prominent in India, the world’s fourth-largest wind energy market, where the energy demand is expected to double and the government targets to add around 100 GW wind power in the predominantly low-wind market by 2030. To help meet the growing demand, Vestas is introducing the V155-3.3 MW turbine optimised for low and ultra-low wind conditions.

The V155-3.3 MW was introduced by Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Vestas’ commitment to support India’s push for renewable energy and to strengthen the country’s wind energy industry.

Had an insightful interaction with Mr. Henrik Andersen, President and CEO, @Vestas. We discussed a series of issues relating to the wind energy sector. Highlighted some of India’s efforts to harness renewable energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2020

While the new turbine is globally applicable, it initially targets low and ultra-low wind condition projects in India. It increases the turbine swept area by 67 percent in comparison to V120-2.2 MW, and with a large rotor to rating ratio, it significantly improves the partial load production in low-wind conditions. The V155-3.3 MW improves the annual energy production (AEP) by more than three percent for a 300 MW wind park with 46 fewer turbines, creating an improved level of business case certainty.

“With the introduction of the V155-3.3 MW wind turbine, Vestas is connecting our proven 4 MW platform technology with customised solutions to improve our customers’ business case in low and ultra-low wind conditions,” said Thomas Scarinci, Senior Vice President of Product Management Vestas. “With this product designed specifically to optimise energy production in low and ultra-low wind conditions, we are confident that we can bring enhanced value to our customers and partners in India and other suited markets.”

As the turbine will be predominantly locally manufactured and sourced in India, it reinforces the firms’ existing commitment to the country’s growing renewable energy industry. Vestas will increase its already prominent manufacturing footprint in India by establishing a new converter factory in Chennai and expanding its current blade factory in Ahmedabad.

These investments follow on from the firms’ previously announced new nacelle and hub factory in Chennai, which is currently under construction. The production ramp-up will add around 1,000 new jobs within the next year to the approximately 2,600 people currently working for Vestas in India. While the expanded production setup in India will serve the growing wind market in the region, it will also act as a strategic export hub.

“We have installed close to 4 GW of wind turbines in India over the last two decades and established a large production footprint, and we’re excited to leverage this as we support the government’s ambitions for renewable energy,” said Clive Turton, President of Vestas Asia Pacific. “With the production ramp-up in India, we anticipate increased employment across our existing hubs, underlining our commitment to better support our customers and drive the country’s renewable energy transition.”

Prototype installation is planned for the third quarter of 2021, while serial production is expected by the first quarter of 2022.