With 21.5 MW Turbine, Siemens Gamesa Has An Answer For Dongfang's 26 MW Wind Giant

Siemens Gamesa recently unveiled an offshore wind  turbine that it claims can generate upto 21.5 MW. With a rotor diameter of between 270 and 280 meters, the SG DD-276 model being taken as the European answer to China's Dongfang Electric, which claimed the record for the largest offshore turbine globally with a succession of models between 2023 and 2024, the largest of which was rated at 26 MW. MingYang has been the other Chinese firm in the size stakes, with turbines scaled up from 18 MW to 20 MW between 2023 and 2024.

Siemens plans to install its turbine in Denmark, after it received a prototype certificate from the Danish Energy Agency.

According to Danish regulations, wind turbines with a rotor area of more than 5 m² must have a valid certificate attesting to compliance with strict safety and design standards. The prototype certification means that Siemens Gamesa has until 2027 to finish developing the model and improve its performance before evaluating a commercial launch.

A European Counter To Chinese Dominance?

The SG DD-276  goes up against the 26 MW install from Dongfang Electric in China's Fujian province, with a hub height of 185 meters.

The 21.5 MW turbine from Siemens bests other western and European models by a margin, be it GE Wind Energy's Haliade-X (14 MW), or even Vestas's 15 MW V236 model. More importantly, the firm will hope that the new turbine does not run into the kind of operational issues that have dogged these firms recently, leading to high losses and a slowdown in additions. Meanwhile the Chinese manufacturers have stolen a march, with their turbines already installed and generating power, providing enough data for firms to use with prospective sellers soon. For buyers, these giant offshore wind turbines come with much higher costs of transportation and installation, with maintainance an especially key issue in the long term. That is one reason the market is still divided on the viability of these giants versus the standard 8-10 MW turbines that have been used thus far.

INDIA Watching 

For countries like India, that are still taking baby steps in the offshore wind energy domain, European offerings will be watched keenly as the government has reservations about allowing Chinese made turbines in its strategic coastal territories.India is not expected to see its first offshore wind installation before 2029-30. Enough time for global firms to fix teething issues with these new giants of the high seas.