Tvindkraft

Tvindkraft, the Danish pioneer and veteran wind turbine

In 1975 the teachers at the Tvind School Centre in Western Jutland decided to build the world’s biggest windmill. To control their heating bill, to produce energy without polluting and as an argument in the energy debate. The result was a 54 m tall wind turbine with a wingspan of 54 m, by far the biggest wind turbine at the time.

The energy prices were rising and Denmark was heading for nuclear energy when several hundred people cut the first sod May 29th 1975. All experts agreed the project was impossible. But the building team, which consisted mainly of volunteers, thought otherwise, and many others agreed. During the construction work some 100.000 people visited the site, contributing ideas, encouragement and practical assistance. Tvindkraft became and has remained a symbol of what common people can achieve when we unite and dedicate ourselves to a task, and of the potential of wind power. On March 26th 1978 the turbine starting producing electricity and it is still in production today.
By constructing the turbine Tvind created trailblazing technology, especially the wing technology, which was placed at the free disposal of the budding wind turbine industry, in the spirit of the early Danish Cooperative Movement. Thus Tvindkraft contributed much more to the present wind industry that what is usually acknowledged.