Megawatt-Sized Wind Turbines

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Nordtank 1500
The prototype of the NEG Micon 1500 kW Turbine (35K JPEG) was commissioned in September 1995.
The original model had a 60 metre rotor diameter and two 750 kW generators operating in parallel.
The most recent version is a 1,500/750 kW model (with two 750 kW generators) with a 64 metre rotor diameter.
The photograph was taken at the Tjaereborg site in the Western part of Denmark near the city of Esbjerg.
(Photograph © 1995 NEG Micon A/S 1996)

Vestas 1.5 MW
The prototype of the Vestas 1500 kW Turbine (51K JPEG) was commissioned in 1996.
The original model had a 63 metre rotor diameter and a 1,500 kW generator.
The most recent version has a 68 metre rotor diameter and a dual 1650/300 kW generator.
The picture shows the nacelle being hoisted by a crane.
In the background to the left you may see the ELSAM 2 MW test turbine (on a concrete tower), and the NEG Micon 1500 kW a bit farther in the background. At the far left you can catch a glimpse of a Bonus 750 kW turbine (the most recent version is a 1 MW turbine).
(Photograph © 1996 Vestas Wind Systems A/S 1996)

The Future for Megawatt-Sized Turbines
600 and 750 kW machines continue to be the "working horses" of the industry at present, but the megawatt-market took off in 1998.
Megawatt-sized machines will be ideal for offshore applications, and for areas where space for siting is scarce, so that a megawatt machine will exploit the local wind resources better.