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 |  €15.59 billion (2021) |
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Operating income
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 €322 million (2021) |
| €176 million (2021) |
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| Total assets | €19.71 billion (2021) |
| Total equity | €4.76 billion (2021) |
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Number of employees
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29,427 (end 2021) |
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 started in 1945.
The company has factories in many countries around the world. These include Denmark, Germany, India, China, and the United States. About 29,000 people work for Vestas globally. As of 2013, Vestas was the biggest wind turbine company in the world.
Contents
What Vestas Does
As of 2019, Vestas has put up more than 66,000 wind turbines. These turbines create 100 gigawatts (GW) of power. That's a lot of electricity! They have done this in over 80 countries. Vestas also has factories in more than 12 countries.
Vestas History and Growth
Vestas's story began in 1898. That's when Hans Smith Hansen bought a blacksmith shop in Lem. His son, Peder Hansen, started Vestas in 1945. The company's full name in Danish means "West-Jutlandish steel technology."
Early Products and Changes
At first, Vestas made things for homes. Then, in the 1950s, they started making farm equipment. Later, they made parts for engines and hydraulic cranes. In 1979, Vestas began making wind turbines. By 1989, they focused only on wind turbines.
In 1997, Vestas made a special turbine called the NTK 1500/60. It won awards for its design. In 2002, Vestas moved its main office in North America to Portland, Oregon.
Becoming the Biggest Wind Turbine Maker
In 2003, Vestas joined with another Danish company called NEG Micon. Together, they became the world's largest wind turbine maker. After some tough times in 2005, Vestas got back on track in 2006. They had a big share of the market.
Vestas started a program in 2007. It allowed employees to report problems safely. This was one of the first programs like it in Denmark.
Expansion and Challenges
In 2008, Vestas planned to make its Portland office much bigger. But a financial crisis in 2009 slowed these plans. They later decided to renovate an existing building instead. The company moved into this new office in 2012.
In 2009, Vestas announced two new types of turbines. These were the 3-megawatt V112 and the 1.8-megawatt V100. They became available in 2010.
Vestas also faced challenges. In 2009, they closed factories in England. This was because there wasn't enough demand for wind power in the UK. But at the same time, Vestas hired many new workers. They opened new factories in China, the United States, and Spain. These countries were growing fast in wind power.
In 2010, Vestas closed five factories in Denmark and Sweden. This meant losing 3,000 jobs. This was part of a shift to make more turbines outside Europe.
Growth in the United States
In 2012, Vestas considered reducing staff in the U.S. if a tax credit for renewable energy wasn't renewed. The credit was extended in 2013. This helped Vestas's orders grow.
Vestas has several facilities in Colorado. These include a blade factory in Windsor, Colorado and a nacelle factory in Brighton, Colorado. A nacelle is the part of the turbine that holds the generator. Vestas chose Colorado because of its location, transportation, and skilled workers.
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 V164, which was one of the most powerful turbines at the time.
By 2014, Vestas was adding hundreds of jobs in Colorado. They called 2013 one of their "best years ever." In 2015, almost half of all Vestas turbines went to the American market.
In 2016, Vestas received a very large order. It was for a project in Norway called Fosen. This project will have 278 turbines and cost a lot of money. It will produce a huge amount of electricity each year.
Research and Development
Vestas spends money on research and development (R&D). This helps them create new and better wind turbines. They have many patents for their designs.
New Technologies and Innovations
In 2009, Vestas worked with QinetiQ to test a "stealth" wind turbine blade. This blade helps reduce radar reflection. This is important for aviation.
In 2010, Vestas was working on the V164 offshore turbine. This turbine has a huge rotor that is 164 meters wide. They tested a prototype in Denmark in 2013.
In 2011, Vestas helped with a floating wind turbine project in Portugal. This system, called WindFloat, uses a special floating base. It was the first time a large offshore turbine was installed without heavy lifting equipment.
In 2013, Vestas opened a large test center in Aarhus. It can test the main parts of wind turbines.
In 2016, Vestas installed a unique test turbine. It was a "quadrotor" design made from four smaller turbines. This helps them learn about new ways to make wind power.
As of 2022, Vestas makes one of the tallest offshore wind turbines. It has a blade that is 115 meters long and can produce 15 MW of power. In September 2022, Vestas showed off the tallest onshore tower for a wind farm. This 199-meter tower helps the turbine reach stronger winds.
Vestas also has a blade recycling facility in the USA. This helps make wind power more sustainable.
Images for kids
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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
