The Lommel plant became larger by a quarter

At ZF Wind Power in Lommel, a serious gearbox is added. Significant investments have been made in expanding capacity, more specifically in a production line to build gearboxes and drivetrains for offshore-located wind turbines. ZF can now equip 1,000 turbines instead of 750 per year with the latest technology.

The ZF Wind Power plant in Lommel has undergone a comprehensive transformation in recent months, preparing for series production of drives and gearboxes for offshore wind turbines. “We are ready to meet the growing demand for green energy,” says Koen Christiansen, Chief Operating Officer.

Since German industrial group ZF became active in the field of wind energy, the company has supplied more than 80,000 gearboxes and motors. This makes it the European market leader in onshore wind turbines with a capacity of up to 8 MW. Meanwhile, a large number of turbines at sea are also powered by ZF Wind Power technology. In this branch, more investments are now being made. The company, in collaboration with a number of partners, has developed a 15 MW wind turbine, good for supplying energy to 20,000 families. There is a demand for it, so production is accelerating.

Thanks to the renovation of the assembly halls, the capacity will grow from more than 750 to 1,000 gearboxes and transmission engines per year, corresponding to the energy supply of about 4 million households. “Production will also be more efficient, with maximum yields and minimum costs. This will arm us against Chinese competition,” says Christiansen, adding finally that additional investments will be made, among other things, in the ZF test center.