The sky is the limit, when a community comes together

Backed by wide local support, the V236-15.0 MW commercial test turbine towers high above the port of Thyborøn. In our new video, we explore how and why the local community came together to develop wind energy on the windy west coast of Denmark. 

The global energy transition will bring a lot of new wind projects to communities all around the world. Many people support this and are positive about having a wind farm close to their homes – both because they believe it is needed for the energy transition and because of the lasting benefits it can bring to communities.

But few communities have come together to advance wind energy like the small port town of Thyborøn in western Denmark. In our new video, you can meet some of the local investors that has helped finance the installation of one of Vestas’ flagship offshore turbines. 

In close collaboration with Vestas, the local wind turbine co-operative has funded the turbine and installed it in record time due to a quick and smooth permitting process from the municipality. The team has actively engaged the wider community through citizen meetings and ongoing information campaigns, this has resulted in the project being well received and has been met with no official complaints during the permitting process.

Thyborøn has long-standing traditions of community-owned wind turbines. Four decades ago, a group of local residents initiated the construction of four Vestas wind turbines and since then the community has installed several wind turbines in the area. 

The V236-15.0 MW turbine in Thyborøn plays a crucial part in our final verification campaign as we ramp up serial production and prepare for installation of the first offshore projects. It is a so-called 0-series test turbine meant to document and verify operational conditions and with a placement on the harbour front close to the sea, the wind turbine will be more accessible for test operations while delivering crucial operational data as part of the test and demonstration phase.