Vestas is bringing its new 182-m rotor configuration of the EnVentus wind turbine platform to South Africa, with the company expecting the larger rotor to deliver more energy from sites with the same installed capacity. The platform, introduced in 2018, has evolved from 150-m to 162-m and 172-m rotor configurations. The new 182-m version retains the established turbine design, with longer blades and gearbox adjustments.

More energy from the same capacity

The 182-m turbine has a rated power of 7.2 MW, the same as the 162-m and 172-m configurations, but is expected to capture up to 6% more energy per turbine under suitable South African conditions, particularly at medium- and low-wind sites. Vestas says retaining an established platform also provides customers and financiers with greater confidence than introducing a completely new turbine design. The first turbines are expected to be available for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2027.

The larger rotor is particularly suited to South Africa, where projects face constraints on grid capacity and, in some cases, the number of available turbine positions. A larger rotor can increase energy production without increasing installed capacity. “It is not only megawatts, but megawatt-hours. We are talking about energy; it is the electricity that we consume, not only the installed power,” the Vestas representative said.

Supporting a flexible grid

Vestas says the changing electricity system is increasing demand for turbines capable of operating flexibly. The EnVentus platform features a full-scale converter that enables the turbine to respond to grid requirements, including supporting voltage and frequency stability. The company is engaging with South African grid stakeholders, including Eskom and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), on the requirements for integrating the technology into the local electricity system.

Long-term South African commitment

Vestas has been active in South Africa since 2010 and says it remains committed to the country's renewable-energy transition. The company has invested in local sales, technical and finance teams, service technicians and a training centre in the Eastern Cape. About 15 GW of EnVentus turbines have been installed globally, with a pipeline of about 25 GW.

“When you bet for a turbine, when you bet for a supplier, it is not just about the first investment. It is a long-term partnership,” the representative said.