MHI will build the largest wind turbine in Japan at the Kanazawa plant of its Yokohama Dockyard & Machinery Works, located in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, near Tokyo. Plans call for the installation to be completed within the current fiscal year.

The wind turbine will be the MWT92/2.4 currently under development by MHI. The MWT designation stands for Mitsubishi Wind Turbine, while the numbers 92 and 2.4 respectively indicate its 92-meter rotor diameter and 2.4 MW (megawatt) rated output. When completed, the MWT92/2.4 will be Japan's (also Asian) largest wind turbine in terms of both rotor diameter and rated output. The power to be generated will be sold to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

With a rotor diameter of 92 meters and a tower height of 70 meters, the highest point of the turbine reached by the blade tips will be 116 meters above ground. As such, MHI expects the wind turbine will become a new landmark of Yokohama and a magnet for curious sightseers. MHI has already produced two 2MW PMSG (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator) direct drive turbines in Okinawa and Awaji islands.

MWT92/2.4 is double-fed variable speed high performance turbine for IEC class 2 regions. This turbine also has enough strength against typhoon just like IEC class 1. Its 92-meter rotor diameter proves enough annual electricity production and 3.0m/s cut-in speed. MHI has applied new technologies, such as individual blade pitch control system and down wind safety concept system named “SmartYaw”, to MWT92/2.4.

In Japan, meteorological conditions are generally severe for wind turbine operation, with wind velocities typically low on average but becoming extremely gusty during typhoons. To provide wind turbines suited to this climate, it is indispensable to verify their reliability and performance in actual operation. For that purpose, MHI opted to build a dedicated testing facility within its own plant site to permit use of test results for continuing improvements. The MWT92/2.4 will be the first turbine to be built at the facility, to serve as the initial step toward development of turbines of increasingly larger scale and higher performance. Upon completion of verification testing, MHI will strengthen its marketing activities for the MWT92/2.4.

As a comprehensive manufacturer of energy-related heavy machinery, MHI develops, produces and supplies a wide array of power generation plants and equipment. These include thermal, nuclear and geothermal power plants, hydraulic turbines, solar cell power systems and fuel cells. MHI is the only Japanese manufacturer of large-size wind turbines for commercial applications created with proprietary technology. To date, the company has delivered 1,679 wind turbines worldwide, collectively capable of power output totaling 897 MW (megawatts). In Japan, 745 wind turbines, including MHI units, are in operation, supplying a total power output of 684 MW.

Today the city of Yokohama is proactively addressing global environmental problems under the farsighted leadership of Mayor Hiroshi Nakada. Under the derivative slogan “Eco-hama,” in June 2004 the city obtained ISO14001 certification as a municipality meeting international standards of environmental management. MHI hopes the installation of the MWT92/2.4 wind turbine will further enhance Yokohama's stance as an eco-friendly city.