31 March 2011

Giant wind turbine blade as long as nine buses unveiled
A wind turbine as long as nine London buses was unveiled in the capital last night (March 30).

Developed by Danish wind power giant Vestas the V164-7.0 generates seven mega-watts of power and has a rotor diameter of 164 metres.

The turbine has been specifically designed for coping with the rough conditions of the North Sea and is aimed only at the northern European market.

Construction of the first prototypes are planned to get underway in the last months of next year.

Should it prove successful and if Vestas see a market for the turbine mass-production will get underway early in 2015.

Vestas' chief executive, Ditlev Engel, launching the product in the capital said the British Government's support made it a reality.

He said: "Seeing the positive indications from governments worldwide, and especially from the UK, to increase the utilisation of wind energy is indeed very promising.

"We look forward to this new turbine doing its part in making these political targets a reality."

Wind power association RenewableUK's director of policy, Dr Gordon Edge, said: "This is a vote of confidence in the offshore wind sector and if the conditions are right could bring significant investment to the UK."

The announcement follows pledges by Siemens earlier this year to build an offshore wind turbine factory in the UK.

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