Hamburg-headquartered OEM Nordex’s 5MW N149/5.X onshore wind turbine has received its key IEC type certificate, clearing the machine for use in international markets.

The award, by certification body TÜV SÜD, follows installation of the first two units in Germany, which have been assess “over the past few months” to evaluate the “overall concept as well as all the principal components”.

“With the type certificate the independent certification agency has now confirmed the evaluation of the N149/5.X design quality with the relevant standard as well as the behaviour of the turbine in the field on the basis of type testing,” said Nordex, noting the turbine can be operated both with standard rotor blades as well as ones with anti-icing technology for cold regions.

The type certification also encompasses evaluation of the manufacture and production of the wind turbine itself, with Nordex and its component suppliers for the turbine, launched in 2019, having set up a certified quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001:2015.

“The IEC 61400-22 type certification is of particular importance for international marketing of the N149/5.X,” said Nordex.

“Investors, project planners and wind farm operators expect their wind turbine generators to be certified in accordance with international standards. In this context, as a rule IEC certification is considered a prerequisite for tenders for international wind power projects. This is a recognised procedure and an important step in the project certification process.”

In September Nordex installed the maiden N149/5.X at the Genshagener Heide wind farm near Potsdam; and in November a second turbine of this model but featuring an anti-icing system, at Santow, near Grevesmühlen in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.

Facing relentless margin-tightening in an evermore competitive, auction-driven energy market, turbine makers GE, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, Nordex and Enercon have each engineered innovative 5MW-plus models that can outstrip 3MW and 4MW machines by 30-50% annual energy production.

Wind

Nordex 5MW onshore wind turbine gets seal of approval for international markets