In a month, the 5M produced energy roughly equivalent to a quarter of that produced by the common 1.5MW turbine in a year. Apart from scheduled closures to allow visitors to inspect the turbine, the 5M achieved 94% availability in its first month of operation.

The 120m tall turbine can produce about 17GWh of power annually, enough to supply 45,000 people with electricity.

The 61.5m rotor blades are composed of a glass and carbon fibre hybrid fabric glued together with synthetic resins, making each blade lightweight in comparison to other designs, according to REpower chief technology officer Matthias Schubert.

“We are now benefiting from the thorough tests and acceptance procedures conducted before the turbine was installed," Schubert said.

"The turbine weathered the winter storms we had this year supremely well and today we know that the 5M operates soundly, even when running at the rated load for days on end.”