Original article posted on worldsteel's website March 26, 2012
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World's largest offshore wind turbine is launched

An offshore wind turbine with a capacity of 6.15 MW has been installed at the Thornton Bank Wind Farm off the coast of Belgium. This is the world’s most powerful wind turbine.

The rotor blades of the new turbine are 63 m long, which gives the rotor a sweep diameter of 126 m. The nacelle, which houses the turbine’s motor, weighs about 350 tonnes and is the size of a large house.

This turbine is the start of Phase II of the Thornton Bank project, during which 30 turbines will be installed this year. Each turbine has the capacity to supply electricity to 6,000 households a year.

Steel in wind turbines

Wind turbines depend on steel. The tower, nacelle and rotor are made of advanced and high-value steels. Foundations are also almost completely made of steel.

worldsteel has recently published a booklet about wind turbines, including illustrations that show how a wind turbine works.

Download the publication or order a free print copy from the online bookshop.