Germany has built the world's tallest wind turbine, with a total height of 365 metres. The concept is to use stronger, steadier winds at higher altitudes to generate more electricity with a rotor of the same size.

On Oct. 5, IT media outlet TechRadar reported that the high-altitude wind turbine built by German engineering company Gicon (GICON) in Schipkau, Brandenburg, recently reached its final height. The hub height is 300 metres and the total height, including the rotor, is 365 metres. Gicon described it as "the tallest wind turbine in the world and the second-tallest structure in Germany." Official operation is expected in November.

The pilot facility has a rated output of 3.8 MW. While that is lower than ultra-large wind turbines, the key is boosting generation efficiency by securing stronger and more consistent winds at higher altitudes. Gicon expects to roughly double annual power generation compared with conventional wind turbines with the same rotor diameter. Expected annual generation is about 18 million kWh, enough to supply 6,000 households. It plans to expand to facilities of 7 MW or more in the future.

The construction method is also unusual. After installing an internal tower inside an external lattice structure, it applied a telescopic method that pulls it upward using a strand jack system. The design aims to reduce reliance on large cranes while enabling turbine installation at a height of 300 metres.

Gicon assessed that the technology can also be applied to existing wind farms. It said a "second layer" approach, adding high-altitude units between existing turbines, could increase generation without significantly expanding land use.

The company estimated there is installation potential for up to 4,000 units in Germany. It said economic viability, taking into account actual generation gains and higher construction costs, will need to be verified after operations begin in November.