Spanish wind turbine-maker Siemens Gamesa has introduced SG 8.0-167 DD offshore wind turbine tailored for the Asia-Pacific market.

SiemensGamesa

Image: Siemens Gamesa introduces 8MW tailored turbine for Asia-Pacific market. Photo: Courtesy of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, S.A.

The new variant from Siemens Gamesa is aimed at addressing the local conditions across the region. It is based on its Offshore Direct Drive wind turbine platform, which is claimed to suit the growing Taiwanese offshore wind market.

Design of the turbine will be ready by next year and installation is expected to take place in 2020 in Taiwan. The solution is also expected to be adopted for individual market needs across the Asia-Pacific region.

The SG 8.0-167 DD wind turbine will have a rated capacity of 8MW, with a rotor diameter of 167m. It has a swept area of 21,900 m2 and uses SGRE B81 blades, each measuring 81.4m.

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Offshore Business Unit CEO Andreas Nauen said: “Serving the growing Taiwanese offshore wind power market with our new product allows us to provide our customers with a cost-efficient, reliable, and powerful wind turbine which can withstand the challenging local conditions.

“The market-specific variant of the SG 8.0-167 DD demonstrates our commitment to moving the market forward on a technological front already from next year.”

The variant has also been designed keeping in mind the local codes and standards related to typhoons, seismic activities and 60Hz operation. These include IEC Typhoon Class (T-Class) type certification by 2020, where the product will be certified for its ability to handle elevated extreme wind speeds in typhoon conditions.

While electrical systems and components will be adapted to 60Hz operation, grid models will be updated to reflect this 60Hz operation and local grid codes, the company said.

Siemens Gamesa Offshore Asia-Pacific executive general manager Niels Steenberg said: “We see promising developments ahead for the offshore wind industry in APAC as a whole.

“With Taiwan as an important regional base and the introduction of the market-specific variant of the SG 8.0-167 DD, we’re able to meet customer needs in markets as they develop.”