Gamesa to install first 5MW offshore turbine

SPAIN: Gamesa is to install the first prototype of its 5MW offshore turbine later this year with the aim of gaining certification in early 2014.

by James Quilter 31 January 2013

The 5MW turbine is based on the 4.5MW onshore machine

The company said it has begun installation of the turbine at a test site on Gran Canaria. The aim is commission it by the second quarter.

The turbine has been in development since 2010 and is based on the company's 4.5MW onshore model. Gamesa announced it was planning to install the turbine on Gran Canaria last year, after switching the project from Virginia in the US.

Gamesa was originally set to build the first 5MW turbine by the end of last year. In 2011, the company signed a deal to allow utility E.on to test one of the turbines by the end of 2012.

However, at the beginning of 2012 Gamesa CEO Jorge Calvet left the company and was replaced by Ignacio Martín from CIE Automotive, who launched a review into the strategic direction of the company.

Martin has said that beyond the 5MW turbine, Gamesa is to focus its research and development on the 2.5MW onshore and 5.5MW onshore/offshore platforms as part of its new strategy.