The world’s tallest wind turbine just reached 1,197 feet — SkimNews
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- GICON erected a 365-meter (1,197-foot) wind turbine in Schipkau, eastern Germany, making it the world's tallest — and Germany's second-tallest structure behind Berlin's TV tower — with its rotor hub sitting 300 meters (984 feet) above ground.
- GICON says the turbine's extra altitude could roughly double electricity output compared to a conventional turbine with the same rotor diameter, because winds at higher altitudes are stronger and more consistent.
- The turbine has a rated capacity of 3.8 MW, with future versions planned to exceed 7 MW, and official commissioning is targeted for November.
- GICON built the tower using a telescoping design in which a specialized lifting system raised the inner tower through the surrounding lattice structure, rather than deploying a crane capable of reaching the full height.
- GICON and SPRIND envision adding these taller turbines as a "second tier" above the rotors of existing wind farms, with their assessment suggesting Germany's current wind farms could accommodate up to 4,000 high-altitude turbines.
- GICON built the pilot for Germany's Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) and is now discussing commercialization with wind energy companies, aiming to begin series production as quickly as possible — though the Schipkau turbine's projected energy yield has yet to be demonstrated in operation.
Why it matters: If the 365-meter design delivers on its promise of roughly double the energy yield, Germany's existing wind farms could host up to 4,000 second-tier turbines without new land, potentially adding massive generation capacity from sites already permitted. The pilot is still unproven in operation, however, and commercialization hinges on whether November commissioning validates GICON's output claims.
Ask SkimNews
