Nordex has joined the growing group of major wind turbine manufacturers offering a 6MW-rated model.

The German OEM has added the N163/6.X turbine to its product portfolio, which it says is able to produce an up to 7% higher annual energy yield thanks to its much higher rated output compared to its sister model in the Delta4000 series, the N163/5X.

Both are designed for moderate and light-wind regions in European core markets.

Nordex in 2017 unveiled the Delta4000 series as a modular platform that can be upgraded with relatively small technological adaptations.

“Our turbines in the Delta4000 series are based on a standard technical platform,” chief executive José Luis Blanco said.

“Consistent modularisation means that type-specific components, such as rotor blades or gearboxes, can be adapted for different variants.

“The N163/6.X is yet another example of how highly efficient solutions that have proved successful in practice can be specifically implemented for special geographic regions.”

Nordex is the latest western turbine maker to offer a model in the 6MW class, with its peers Siemens Gamesa, Vestas and GE already marketing supersized onshore machines. Enercon was first in developing a giant onshore machine, but its 7.5MW turbine was too complicated to transport and never sold many units, prompting the German premium manufacturer to halt its production.

Nordex’s 6MW model can be supplied in a large number of operating modes in terms of output, capacity factor, service life and sound emission requirements, the OEM said. The N163/6.X has a design lifetime of 25 years, but also comes with an extended lifetime for specific sites for up to 35 years.

The company said it has achieved the higher rated output in the 6MW range through a more efficient gearbox, while the turbine’s electrical system has been adapted by raising the nominal voltage and using an improved cooling system.

In addition to this, a stronger version of the about 80 metre rotor blade from the N163/5.X, based on its GRP/carbon differential design, is employed, which the Nordex Group has been using in the series production of its rotor blades since 2011.

The lower rotation speed means that the noise emission levels of the N163/6.X stand at max. 106.4 dB(A), Nordex added.

Nordex also plans to present a cold climate version of the new turbine, as well as an anti-icing system for its rotor blades as an option.

Although series production is only scheduled for the start of 2023, Nordex said it has already received first orders for the N163/6.X.

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