Vestas windmill systems

A global leader in sustainable energy solutions!

Photograph: Vestas FB Page

Text: Mariano Anthony Davies

Vestas is on a mission to transform the global energy system. With a dedicated team of 30,000 employees, they work every day to shape a more sustainable future by designing, installing and maintaining wind energy projects worldwide.

They believe that wind power will form the backbone of tomorrow's energy system. That is why they are steadfast in their commitment to solutions that drive the vital transition to renewable energy with wind at the core.

Country blacksmith to modern exporter

Starting out as blacksmiths, the Hansen family built a manufacturing company that by 1968 was exporting hydraulic cranes to 65 countries. It is a story of willpower, wind, fire and the ability to make the right move at the right time.

On the windswept west coast of Denmark in 1898, the 22-year-old Hans Søren Hansen steps off a train at the sleepy farming town of Lem. He buys the local blacksmith workshop and quickly establishes himself as a blacksmith full of ideas and enthusiasm.

After the Second World War, Peder Hansen and a handful of colleagues, including his father, established VEstjysk STaalteknik A/S. The name proves unmanageable and is soon shortened to Vestas. Working from wooden barracks left empty by the Germans, Vestas started making household appliances such as mixers and kitchen scales.

By 1968, with a bit of inventiveness, Vestas adapted to the sudden demand for hydraulic cranes for light trucks. This becomes Vestas' first export, with 96 percent of its production output exported to 65 countries.

Energy experiments 1971-1986

Vestas starts to experiment with alternatives to traditional energy production, developing wind turbine technology in secret. Despite technological success, the company stands on the brink of closure.

With the oil crisis of the early seventies looming, Vestas will soon be known for something completely different: alternative energy. In 1979, Vestas sells and installs its first turbine with a 10-metre rotor and capacity of 30 KW so that its first customers can begin to benefit from clean, sustainable electricity from wind.

After a major storm in 1980 and a year of investigation, Vestas finds a flaw in the construction of its blades. However, instead of conceding defeat and abandoning the dream, Vestas starts to produce its own fibreglass components, ensuring high quality in every stage of production.

Early investment in new wind technology turns out to be a stroke of genius. New legislation in the United States gives tax breaks to wind energy investors and Zond places an order for 155 turbines. The following year, Zond orders 550. Vestas swells from 200 employees to 870.

Suddenly, after five years of continued growth, Vestas finds itself with a huge stockpile of turbines to shift. At home, the Danish Government changes the tax laws on turbines, halving the rebate. Vestas' financial situation looks bleak and on 3 October 1986, it goes into suspension of payments – even though there is nothing wrong with the turbines.

Harnessing the power of wind

Vestas chose to focus solely on wind energy, and its turbines are soon in demand around the world. With ever-improving technology, the company reaches many milestones, including the first turbines to supply a constant current of electricity to the energy grid.

By 2005, new technology increases the efficiency of wind energy around the world - and Vestas merges with NEG Micon to become the undisputed world leader in modern wind energy. Producing turbines is now only part of Vestas' offerings. Transporting and installing turbines is also a massive operation – it takes ten specially designed trucks to transport one turbine.

Vestas and NEG Micon merge and the two Danish wind energy giants become the undisputed world leader in the wind power industry with a 32 percent market share.

Leading the industry into the future

Wind energy currently accounts for less than two percent of the world's energy production. Vestas expects it to account for 10 percent in the near future.

To achieve this, the industry must increase wind energy production by 900,000 MW worldwide. At Vestas, they believe that this can be done. Wind energy can supply local energy anywhere, provided that there is ample wind, and it can create thousands of jobs. Many national and regional governments are setting clear, long-term renewable energy targets.

Sustainability goals

In February 2020, Vestas launched its first Sustainability Strategy, entitled 'Sustainability In Everything We Do'. Committing to ambitious goals across key sustainability areas, they have elevated the industry benchmark around sustainability performance.

Vestas' strategy is divided into four key sustainability goals:

• Carbon neutrality by 2030 without carbon offsets.

• Producing zero-waste wind turbines by 2040.

• Becoming the safest, most inclusive and socially responsible company in the energy industry.

• Leading the transition towards a world powered by sustainable energy.