Vestas Hits 1 GW Milestone with 7+ MW Onshore Turbines as German Orders Roll In

The Danish wind giant’s modular designs dominate low-to-medium wind markets

Vestas just notched two major wins in Germany’s renewable energy push, securing a 22 MW project in Weisendorf and a 14 MW deal for Bernau Albertshof II. But the real headline? The company’s 7+ MW onshore turbine variants—the V172-7.2 MW and V162-7.2 MW—have collectively surpassed 1 GW in firm orders globally, cementing their status as the workhorses of Europe’s energy transition.

“These turbines aren’t just powerful—they’re adaptable,” says Jens Kück, Vestas’ regional sales lead. “The modular design lets us optimize for everything from Bavarian low-wind sites to coastal gusts, and the field data from our four prototypes proves it.”

The numbers tell the story: Vestas commissioned the V162-7.2 MW prototype in 2023, followed by its larger sibling, the V172-7.2 MW, in early 2024. Two additional prototypes soon joined the fleet across Denmark and Germany, racking up performance metrics that convinced risk-averse utilities. Both models now boast a trifecta of certifications—Maschinengutachten, Design Evaluation Conformity Statement, and Provisional Type Certificate—effectively silencing skeptics of high-capacity onshore turbines.

From prototypes to powerhouses

Since 2019, Vestas has locked in over 19 GW of firm orders and installed more than 10 GW of its EnVentus platform turbines across 28 markets. The 7+ MW variants, with their 162-meter and 172-meter rotor diameters, are particularly effective in Germany’s patchwork of medium-wind sites. “You’re seeing capacity factors that would’ve been unthinkable for onshore a decade ago,” notes an industry analyst.

The momentum aligns with broader shifts in renewable energy investment. Energy Global’s Spring 2025 issue—featuring deep dives on negative electricity pricing and solar’s storage paradox—highlights how turbine scalability is reshaping project economics. For Vestas, the 1 GW milestone is just a checkpoint: with prototypes now morphing into production-line staples, the race for the next generation of onshore giants is already underway.