Nielsen takes over from Anders Vedel, who has been in the role for more than eight years, overseeing a host of technical evolutions of Vestas' onshore and offshore wind platforms.
Vedel started at Vestas in 1995, working across a number of divisions and countries before becoming CTO in early 2012.
He now moves to become chief scientific adviser at Vestas, reporting to CEO Henrik Andersen and supporting the boards of Vestas and its offshore wind joint venture MHI Vestas. He will, however, step down from the manufacturer's executive management.
"When I started in Vestas, very few people believed a wind turbine rotor would become much larger than 80 metres, or that wind energy could be cost competitive, but together we have proven the doubters wrong and established wind energy as a leading energy source," Vedel said.
Vedel is replaced, as of 12 May 2020, by Anders Nielsen, who brings more than 30 years of experience from the automotive industry.
Most recently, Nielsen was CTO at Volkswagen subsidiary Traton Group, which produces light-duty commercial vehicles, trucks, and buses from 29 production and assembly sites across 17 countries.
"With renewables being cost competitive and a source of stability during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is a truly exciting time to join the energy industry," Nielsen said.
Elsewhere, Vestas has also appointed Tommy Rahbek Nielsen as its permanent chief operating officer, having filled the role on a temporary basis since the start of the year.
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