365-Meter Wind Turbine: The World’s Tallest, German-Made

Impossible to miss along the highway linking Berlin to Dresden, the world’s tallest wind turbine stands as a true feat of engineering.

A New Symbol

To observe this giant of 365 meters up close, one must head to Schipkau. A region in eastern Germany once associated with mining and coal-powered plants. A symbol of the early and radical energy transition undertaken by the country, this new wind turbine represents the culmination of two years of relentless work.

Technically, it is the second-tallest structure in Germany, only surpassed by Berlin’s Fernsehturm, a 368-meter television tower built during the Cold War. Perched atop a robust lattice frame, at that height it benefits from stronger and more regular winds, allowing it to generate up to twice as much energy as a turbine with a rotor of comparable size (126 meters).

« This world record belongs to all those who contributed to its construction, through their knowledge, dedication and perseverance », exclaimed the GICON company in a press release.

Due to enter service by the end of the year, the world’s tallest wind turbine will initially generate 3.8 megawatts of power. Future versions of this technology are expected to exceed 7 megawatts, and will be able to supply electricity to up to 7,500 German households.

A Tour de Force

As explained by GICON, the greatest challenge lay in hoisting the heavy wind turbine and its giant rotor to roughly 300 meters above the ground. An operation that even the largest cranes in the world would not have been able to manage.

To achieve this, a reinforced lattice structure formed the base of the tower. Once the rest of the tower was erected, the mechanism was pulled from the center up to the desired height.

Ultimately, as many as 4,000 high-altitude wind turbines could join Germany’s existing wind farms.

Earlier this year, China announced the commissioning of a record offshore wind farm, hosting 33 turbines of 18 megawatts each.