Vestas facts for kids
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Global headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark
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| Public (Aktieselskab) | |
| Traded as | OMX: VWS |
| Industry | Electrical equipment |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Founder | Peder Hansen |
| Headquarters | , |
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Key people
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| Products | Wind turbines |
| Revenue |  €17.295 billion (2024) |
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Operating income
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€794 million (2024) |
| €494 million (2024) |
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| Total assets | €24.644 billion (2024) |
| Total equity | €3.542 billion (2024) |
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Number of employees
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35,100 (end of 2024) |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S is a company from Denmark. They make, sell, install, and fix wind turbines. Wind turbines are giant machines that use wind to create electricity. Vestas was started in 1945.
The company has factories in many countries around the world. These include Denmark, Germany, India, China, and the United States. Vestas is the largest wind turbine company globally.
Contents
How Vestas Works
Vestas has put up more than 66,000 wind turbines. These turbines can create 100 gigawatts (GW) of power. That's enough electricity for many homes! They have done this in over 80 countries. Vestas also has production places in more than 12 countries.
Vestas History
Early Beginnings
The story of Vestas began in 1898. That's when Hans Smith Hansen bought a blacksmith shop in Lem, Denmark. His son, Peder Hansen, started Vestas in 1945. The name "Vestas" comes from "Vestjysk Stålteknik A/S", which means "West-Jutlandish steel technology".
At first, Vestas made things for homes. Then they started making farm equipment in 1950. Later, they made parts for engines and hydraulic cranes.
Entering the Wind Industry
Vestas started making wind turbines in 1979. By 1989, they focused only on wind turbines. In 1997, they made a special turbine called the NTK 1500/60. This design won important awards.
In 2002, Vestas moved its main office in North America. It went from California to Portland, Oregon.
Growth and Challenges
In 2003, Vestas joined with another Danish company called NEG Micon. Together, they became the biggest wind turbine maker in the world.
After a tough year in 2005, Vestas got back on track in 2006. They had a large share of the market. In 2007, Vestas started a program to let employees report problems safely. This was one of the first in Denmark.
In 2009, Vestas planned to make its Portland office bigger. But they had to change their plans because of a tough economy. They later renovated an existing building for their headquarters in 2012.
Vestas also announced new turbine types in 2009. These included the 3-megawatt V112.
Global Changes
In 2009, Vestas had to close a factory in England. This was because there wasn't enough demand for wind power in the UK. However, at the same time, Vestas hired many new workers. They opened factories in China, the United States, and Spain. These markets were growing fast.
Because of this shift, Vestas closed some factories in Denmark and Sweden in 2010. This meant some job losses in Europe.
In 2012, Vestas faced challenges in the U.S. They had to lay off workers at their factory in Pueblo, Colorado. This was due to changes in government support for wind energy. However, orders soon picked up. Vestas has other facilities in Colorado. These include places that make blades in Windsor, Colorado and parts called nacelles in Brighton, Colorado.
In 2013, Vestas teamed up with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. They created a new company called MHI-Vestas. This company focuses on offshore wind turbines. These are turbines placed in the sea. They developed the powerful 7-9 MW Vestas V164 turbine.
By 2014, Vestas was doing very well. They added hundreds of jobs at their Colorado factories. In 2015, almost half of all Vestas turbines went to the American market.
In 2016, Vestas received its largest order ever. It was for a huge wind project in Norway called Fosen. This project will have 278 turbines and create a lot of clean energy.
Research and Development
Vestas spends a lot of money on research and development. This means they are always working to make their wind turbines better. They have many patents for their wind turbine designs.
New Technologies
In 2009, Vestas worked on a "stealth" wind turbine blade. This blade helps reduce problems with radar for airplanes.
Vestas also developed a very large offshore turbine called the V164. It has a rotor that is 164 meters wide. This turbine was tested in Denmark in 2013 and 2014.
In 2011, Vestas used a powerful supercomputer called Firestorm. It helped them predict weather patterns. This helps them understand wind conditions better.
Vestas also helped with a floating wind turbine project in Portugal. This turbine floats on the ocean instead of being fixed to the seabed. This makes it easier to install in deep waters.
In 2013, Vestas opened a large test center in Aarhus, Denmark. Here, they can test the main parts of their turbines.
Future Innovations
In 2016, Vestas tested a special wind turbine with four rotors. It was made from recycled parts. This test showed that it could lower costs.
As of 2022, Vestas makes one of the tallest offshore wind turbines in the world. Its blade is 115 meters long, and it can produce 15 MW of power.
In 2022, Vestas showed off the tallest onshore tower for a wind farm. This 199-meter tower helps turbines reach stronger, more steady winds. It will be used with a powerful 7.2 MW generator.
In 2023, Vestas announced that its V236-15.0MW prototype reached its full power. This turbine is designed for offshore wind farms. It can produce 15 megawatts of power.
Vestas also has a facility in the U.S. that recycles old wind turbine blades. This helps protect the environment.
Images for kids
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Vestas V47-660kW wind turbine at the American Wind Power Center in Lubbock, Texas
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Vestas V126-3.45 MW guyed tower at Østerild
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WindFloat, operating at rated capacity (2 MW), approximately 5 km (3 mi) offshore of Agucadoura, Portugal
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Vestas V112-3.0 MW in Bavaria, Germany
See also
In Spanish: Vestas para niños
- List of wind turbine manufacturers
- Renewable energy industry
- Wind power
- Wind power in Denmark
