Denmark’s Vestas has inaugurated a new blade production line for the company’s V236-15.0 MW offshore wind turbine at its factory in Taranto, Italy.
“We are proud to further invest in our European footprint. This expansion showcases the positive impact we can drive for the energy transition and job creation when we see stable demand in the market,” said Kenneth Kaser , our Senior Vice President, Blades Manufacturing.
The new blade production line is said to create 1,300 additional manufacturing jobs and marks a milestone in the company’s journey to expand offshore wind globally.
The Danish wind turbine manufacturer installed the V236-15.0 MW prototype at the Østerild National Test Centre for large wind turbines in Western Jutland, Denmark, in December 2022.
In August 2023, the prototype, which stretches 280 metres into the air, set a world record for the most power output by a single wind turbine in 24 hours, producing 363 MWh in that period. At the end of last year, Vestas received a type certificate for its 15 MW wind turbine.
At the beginning of this year, Vestas also revealed plans to establish a new blade factory in Szczecin, Poland. The facility is expected to start operations in 2026, creating more than 1,000 direct jobs.
The company has already received orders for the V236-15.0 MW wind turbine for offshore projects in Germany , Poland , and the Netherlands , among others, and will start installing the first 15 MW turbines offshore next year.