Gamesa Launches New Wind Turbine For Less Windy Regions

With an eye on new and developing markets, Spanish wind turbine manufacturer has expanded its basket of offerings by revealing a wind turbine specifically designed for sites with low wind speeds. 

Gamesa introduced the 2.5 MW turbine at the China Wind Power 2015 trade fair, and with a rotor diameter of 126 meters, the turbine will be available with hub heights of 84, 102, and 129 meters. 

“Thanks to its extremely low power density, an outstanding capacity factor, and a lower cost of energy, this turbine will boost energy production with respect to the G114-2.0 MW by up to 25%,” the company stated in a press release.

This new turbine gives Gamesa a golden opportunity to increase its share further in developing markets. India, for example, has given preference to wind energy more than any other renewable energy technology, and as a result, several major high wind density sites in the country have also been snapped up. 

These trends have been recognised by the regulators as well, who have introduced new and higher tariffs for projects located at such sites. The Indian electricity regulators, for their tariff determinations, assume highest PLF of 32% and the lowest PLF of 20%.

Gamesa’s new turbine could be a huge hit in the Indian market, with the government setting a target to have 60 GW installed wind energy capacity by 2022. Gamesa is already a leader in the Indian market, but with signs of revival for Suzlon Energy, the Spanish turbine marker will require all possible tools to compete.

In India Gamesa was the leading OEM in 2013 as well as 2014, and acquired significant market share over one-time leader Suzlon Energy. Gamesa is believed to have supplied wind turbines for 600 to 700 MW of wind power capacity last year in India. This year, the company aims to supply turbines equivalent to 1 GW of wind power capacity. Gamesa has announced plans to supply 7.5 GW of wind energy turbines in India over the next 5-7 years.

Gamesa recently secured contracts in new wind energy markets like Turkey, Kuwait, and Cyprus.