Wind turbine SG 21-276 DD by Siemens Gamesa reaches 21.5 MW, making it the most powerful unit ever installed to date. The model, known as SG 21-276 DD, marks a major milestone in the global race to scale offshore wind turbine capacity
The offshore wind industry has been accelerating its technological pace for years, pushing the limits of size and output. While Chinese manufacturers have recently dominated the headlines – and the global rankings for wind turbine OEMs – this new prototype gives European innovation a powerful new entry.
A 21.5 MW wind turbine leads the field
The SG 21-276 DD is Siemens Gamesa’s latest offshore wind turbine and, at this moment, the most powerful turbine ever installed globally. According to reports from the renewable energy sector, the turbine was assembled at the Østerild Test Centre in Denmark, where it will remain for further testing before any commercial deployment is announced.
Much of the turbine’s engineering is reflected in its name. The SG 21-276 DD has a rated capacity of 21.5 megawatts and a rotor diameter of 276 meters, thanks to its 135-meter-long blades. This sweep area places it firmly at the top of current turbine specifications worldwide.
A discreet launch with ambitious goals
Despite its significance, Siemens Gamesa has chosen not to publicize the installation broadly. The company first disclosed plans for the turbine in the summer of 2023, as part of the HIPPOW project (Highly Innovative Prototype of the most Powerful Offshore Wind).
HIPPOW, partially funded by the European Union, was promoted as a record-setting initiative. At the time, the European Commission called the SG 21-276 DD the most powerful prototype globally, though few technical details were released. That secrecy is now giving way to cautious recognition, as the turbine begins real-world testing.
Siemens Gamesa challenges global records
In practical terms, the SG 21-276 DD may indeed be the most powerful wind turbine ever built and installed. However, the global record – at least on paper – still belongs to China.
On October 12, 2024, Dongfang Electric Group unveiled a 26 MW offshore wind turbine, a unit that could eclipse all competitors once operational. But while the Chinese prototype exists, it has not yet been installed, and the path to market may be significantly longer.
For now, Siemens Gamesa holds the lead in real-world deployment, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
