One wind turbine, 13 GWh in 2005

First year of operation of a mega wind turbine

In the past decade, wind turbines have been growing quickly, both in height and in output power. The most recent generation typically has a tower height of 120 meters, a rotor diameter of 125 meters, and an output power of 5 MW. The first of these “mega turbines” that became operational was the REpower 5M onshore wind turbine in Brunsbüttel, near Hamburg (Germany), inaugurated 2nd February 2005. In its first year of operation, it produced 13 GWh, which was more than expected. After this test run, the annual production is expected to raise to 17 GWh. Several more mega wind turbines have recently been inaugurated, or are being built in Germany (onshore and offshore) and Scotland (offshore).