Vestas 7.2 MW Turbine, New Aerones Funding Round, and Siemens calls for more wind capacity in UK
Highlights from EP 271 & exclusive content
⏱️ 5 minute read ⏱️
Did you catch Tuesday’s Uptime Wind Energy Podcast? Again, Allen, Joel, Phil and Rosemary had plenty of news to sort out. A rundown of some of the stories we’re watching and our thoughts on what’s next is below.
So much is happening, we’re breaking it down in bite-sized chunks here. Links below take you straight to the stories - and listening to the podcast is always the best way to get the news plus our team’s (informed, educated, and often entertaining) opinions about the stories making headlines.
Subscribe, listen, read the notes below and stay up to date with the wind energy world with us!
And these are just the bullet points - !
What will Aerones do with its new, $62 million funding round? We'll be watching eagerly; and we suspect that techs (and owner/operators) around the world feel the same way.
Siemens Energy’s VP’s call for increased offshore wind capacity in the UK might sound brash - if it weren’t so darned logical.
Canada has called its Bill C-49 a “once in a generation” offshore wind opportunity - and the details are mighty enticing. Our crew noted a couple of drawbacks, but overall, it has a certain cool appeal.
Vestas’ 7.2 MW turbine made its commercial debut in Germany - now, outside of Eastern Europe, where will it market the 175-meter-high turbine?
The Coyote Wind Farm in Scurry County, Texas is our Wind Farm of the Week.
Like your info short and sweet? Tune in to Monday’s Uptime News Flash - it’s fast!
About Aerones’ Latest Funding Round
We weren’t really surprised when Aerones closed a $62M Series B funding round. As Joel put it, “an oversubscribed funding round means that you’re doing some things right!” Obviously, the Latvian company is doing several things quite right: servicing more than 10,000 turbines annually in 30+ countries, enabling 400,000MWh of additional clean electricity since 2020(!), successfully addressing the technician shortage while winning over technicians, and by developing a reputation in the industry for being willing to jump in to help solve problems in creative, effective ways.
Aerones has put previous funding to good use, ramping up production and serving top-tier customers including GE Vernova, NextEra, and Vestas. How many robots can the company send out this year? We’re thinking of a number…and it’s a big number.
While we’re happy to see the company’s success, we’re even more excited to see what it has meant for the industry.
Are you a tech that has benefitted from using robotics in the field? We’d love to hear from you!
Can Siemens Energy VP tell the UK what to do?
No, not really, but when Siemens Energy’s UK VP, Darren Davidson, said last week that Allocation Round Seven must award 6GW of offshore wind capacity to maintain progress toward the country’s (increased) goal of 43-50 GW offshore capacity by 2030, well, he probably wasn’t wrong. AR7 for the UK's Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which includes offshore wind, will open in August. Results are expected to be announced in late 2025 to early 2026.
Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think here, or join the conversation on our LinkedIn page. We love to hear our listeners and readers.
Why Do We Highlight a Wind Farm of the Week?
Because every site has a unique story, for one reason, and because each wind farm operation has a major, positive impact on the people who live nearby.
But why? And how?
Taxes, jobs, clean electricity, tax revenue and quite often, other significant investments in community infrastructure, social and educational programs, and - in some cases - direct payments to area property owners.
Find out how Coyote Wind Farm in Scurry County, Texas - commissioned in 2021 - is contributing to the local economies of several small towns, even as it generates approximately 635.3 GWh of electricity annually - which is enough to power about 65,000 homes.
Lightning Will Strike Webinar Replay
If you missed last week’s SkySpecs webinar, Lightning Will Strike, you definitely want to listen to the (free!) replay, here -
Lightning Will Strike: Uptime Podcast, PES Wind & SkySpecs Webinar
In the webinar, Matthew Stead, Chief Product Officer with Eologix-Ping, Matt Sigala, Senior Manager, Composite Repair Services with EDF Renewables, and Uptime hosts Allen Hall and Joel Saxum discussed the best strategies to monitor for strikes, inspect for damage, and how to manage repairs. THIS WAS NOT a canned sales pitch; we described some real action items in the webinar. Listen here!
Got Questions? Wish we’d covered another issue? TELL US! We’re prepping now for the next webinar, on June 25. If we can fit them in, we’ll discuss your concerns then!
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Where’s the Lightning Near You? Find Out

What’s the difference between StrikeTape and other lightning diverters?
StrikeTape is proven to protect wind turbine blades in the real-world conditions where wind farms operate.
We’ve seen a lot of other diverters fail in the field because they’re inadequately designed, not made of high-quality materials, not properly positioned, or not properly installed.
StrikeTape lightning diverters were designed and manufactured specifically for the wind industry.
The materials used in StrikeTape have been rain-erosion and UV tested. (See the specs here.)
Our engineers work with clients to ensure that the diverter’s placement is optimal for their equipment and site conditions, and that they are installed to maximize protection and longevity.
Want the best protection for your blades? Get StrikeTape.
Got questions? Get answers ➡️Joel.saxum@wglightning.com
⚡️NEWSFLASH 6/9/25:
🔆 SPOTLIGHT 6/5/25:
🖥️ Do you subscribe to our YouTube channel? More than a MILLION people do!
Interesting Finds From Around the Web
Denmark's co-op wind farm to double output as energy projects gather steam
Siemans: Britain needs record offshore wind auction to meet targets
New UK map exposes how long wind turbines will 'live' and their rare earth content
Suzlon reports full-year and fourth-quarter results for financial year 2025
Canada offering 'once-in-a-generation' offshore wind opportunity
Empire Wind opponents sue Trump administration, Equinor to stop work again
In Pennsylvania, alternative energy proposal presses on, clears environmental panel
MidAmerican Energy wants to build more wind turbines in Ida County, Iowa
GE Vernova’s Repower Program Keeps Electricity Flowing by Upgrading America’s Aging Wind Turbines
Thialf Arrives in US ahead of Empire Wind 1 foundation installation campaign
PES Wind Exclusive article: Companies providing real solutions in Wind Industry
Lightning Damage webinar: did you miss it? Here’s the replay link!
NEXT LIGHTNING WEBINAR JUNE 25: What do you want us to cover?
Wind Energy Stock Watch
Vestas (VWDRY) $5.60 USD
GE (GE) $242.00 USD
Siemens Energy AG (SMNEY) $95.14 USD
Goldwind (XJNGF) $.81USD
Iberdrola (IBE.MC) €16.15 EUR
Nordex (NRDXF) $19.79 USD
Stock prices as of close Tuesday, June 10. Note some stocks use OTC Delayed Price.
Stay informed: Uptime Tech News delivers wind energy news and insights on the latest technology, fresh from experts around the world. If you learned something, please forward to a friend. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, subscribe now.
Have a great week and thanks for listening! - Allen, Rosie, Joel, Phil & everyone from the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast
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