The final step in the German outfit's testing programme, carried out by research and development body the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, with DNV GL as third-party verifier, means the blade is the first 80-metre-plus-class design to be "fully tested".

"The so-called post-fatigue static test was successfully completed according to IEC and GL standards," says Euros.

The latest trials follow on from flapwise and edgewise tests, completed in four days, "once again without any problems or even damages on the blade".

The