Skip to main content

The world’s tallest wooden wind turbine tower is nearly complete

Swedish startup Modvion is building the world’s tallest wooden wind turbine tower for an energy company in Sweden.

The 105-meter (344-feet) wind turbine tower (including the blades) will be Modvion’s first commercial installation, and the client is electric utility company Varberg Energi in Skara, Sweden.

Modvion erected the first wooden wind turbine tower on an island outside Gothenburg, Sweden, in May 2020.

The world’s tallest wooden wind turbine tower’s last modules – made from laminated veneer lumber – are currently being manufactured in Modvion’s factory in Gothenburg, which opened last year. The modules are assembled 4 x 4 at the construction site into seven sections that will make up the finished tower. Work onsite began earlier this year on the foundation. Now modules are being transported to the site, and section assembly has begun.

A 2-megawatt turbine made by Danish wind giant Vestas will be mounted on the tower. (Vestas has been a shareholder in Modvion since 2021.) This is the first time that Modvion’s tower technology and a Vestas turbine will be paired.

Modvion says the wooden wind turbine tower will be online before the end of the year.

The laminated wood used has a better strength-to-weight ratio than the types of steel used for wind turbine towers, the company asserts. The wood is also lighter, and the modular tower is easier to transport on standard roads.

Otto Lundman, CEO of Modvion, said:

Wood enables building higher towers at a lower cost, which makes wind power more efficient since winds are stronger and more stable higher up.

The wooden towers not only store carbon but also continue to absorb it during their lifetime.

Photos: Modvion


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events and are interested in exploring ways to make your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage.

EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online, and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –ad*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michelle Lewis Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac.com. Check out her personal blog.