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Vestas introduces the V172-7.2 MW, enhancing performance in low to medium wind conditions

Apr 5, 2022

To reach net-zero compatibility with the expansion of sustainable energy, the renewables industry must reach significantly higher growth rates over the coming decade. As a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, Vestas is committed to enabling this growth by driving industry maturity, and investing in solutions that drive more scalable operations. Our modular product development is a key enabler for scalability across the industry, and as the latest step along this journey we are introducing the V172-7.2 MW, expanding the advanced EnVentus platform and offering enhanced performance in low to medium wind conditions. In alignment, we are changing the existing medium-to-high wind EnVentus variant V162-6.8 MW to a 7.2 MW name plate.

The V172-7.2 MW delivers a 12 percent increase in annual energy production (AEP) compared to the V162-6.2 MW variant in low wind conditions. The new variant delivers flexible power ratings of 7.2 MW, 6.8 MW and 6.5 MW and offers expanded site applicability for all conditions, with solutions for cold climate and an optional larger CoolerTop for hot climates.

“Enabling maturity and scalable growth are central to our technological ambitions at Vestas. The introduction of the V172-7.2 MW will pave the way for wind energy to build scale by introducing more ease and efficiency into how we design and produce high-quality sustainable energy solutions. The V172-7.2 MW demonstrates how our modular product development can enable customisable solutions, suited to any environment. It’s also a signal for how we can support our customers as a long-term partner through the imminent energy transformation, able to meet their needs today, as well as in the future”, says Anders Nielsen, Vestas Chief Technology Officer.

The V172-7.2 MW will be based on Vestas’ new modularised nacelle architecture, where the nacelle structure is divided into compartments that are dimensionally designed to correspond to general industry standards for road, rail and ocean transport. This improves logistics and provides flexibility over the turbine’s operational lifetime. The variant will also build closer alignment between Vestas’ onshore and offshore platforms, as both the V172-7.2 MW and the V162-7.2 MW share the modularised nacelle architecture with the Vestas offshore V236-15.0 MW.

The EnVentus platform is the next generation of Vestas technology, building on and leveraging proven technology from the 2 MW, 4 MW and 9 MW platforms to meet customisation needs more efficiently through advanced modularity. The EnVentus platform now includes four different wind turbine variants, and since the launch of the EnVentus platform in 2019, Vestas has secured orders for more than 6 GW across 14 different markets on four continents.