Danish turbine maker Vestas has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of a new 3MW turbine variant with larger-rotor.

The new V136-3.45MW turbine with an advanced blade design employs Vestas-patented Large Diameter Steel Tower technology.

This is said to increase Vestas’ annual energy production by over 10%, while reducing sound emission levels at low-wind sites.

Vestas technology and service solutions executive vice president Anders Vedel said: "Combining advanced technology and the proven performance of the 3 MW platform enables the V136-3.45 MW to reduce the cost of energy even further.

"The bigger rotor, taller tower, and advanced aerofoil blade design make this new turbine variant ideal for low-wind sites, which comprise an increasingly important market segment in some countries."

The first V136-3.45MW turbine will be installed at the Østerild national test center for large turbines in northwestern Denmark in 2016.

Vestas will begin the new variant’s serial production in the second half of 2017.

Earlier this year, the company secured a wind turbine supply contract from German wind power developer wpd for the Tohkoja project in Kalajoki, Finland.

Under the contract, Vestas will supply and install 22 V117-3.3MW turbines.

So far, Vestas has installed over 54,900 wind turbines across the world which reduce carbon emissions by over 60 million tons annually.