According to the research team, after generating about seven months of energy the V90 would have produced as much energy as was used in the manufacturing process. Based on the average lifespan of a V90, this means it pays for itself over 35 times during its energy production lifecycle.

If able to access good wind resources, a V90 turbine will generate around 280,000 MWh of electricity in two decades, sparing the atmosphere roughly 230,000 tons of carbon dioxide based on equivalent production from a coal-fired power station.

The life cycle assessment performed by Vestas for the V90 covered both the economic and environmental impacts of the turbine. The study covered the entire life of a turbine, from initial production and installation to operation over its 20 year lifespan and its eventual disposal.

“The life cycle assessments are used as a natural and important decision-making tool in product development and in the choice of production technology,” said Vestas president Sven Sigaard.

“With life cycle assessments of our wind turbines, we have an excellent tool to compare the products and estimate how big an advantage our wind power systems are to the environment.”