WORLD WIND ENERGY NET

Atlanta-based GE Energy, a global provider of wind energy products and services, has released its 2.5xl wind turbine for onshore use.

The new machine’s rotor diameter of 100 meters is an increase of 12 meters over the current 2.5 MW wind turbine, and is the largest rotor diameter available for onshore applications that is offered by manufacturers in the industry, according to a GE representative. Compared to the previous machine, the enhanced 2.5xl offers a five-point increase in capacity factor and a 12% increase in annual energy yield. It has the capability to operate at sites whose average wind speeds are up to 8.5 meters per second.

The 2.5xl has been designed to meet the requirements of the European Union. It will be manufactured at GE's Salzbergen, Germany, facilities, with key markets expected to be Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and the U.K.