XEMC Darwind is a Chinese-Dutch design, engineering and manufacturing company of direct-drive permanent magnet wind turbines. Our target is to set a new standard for energy performance and availability, significantly lowering the operational costs of wind energy.

Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) technology was started by Lagerwey in the Netherlands. Our offshore and onshore turbines are build on the lessons learned from the Lagerwey LW50 (two of which have been in continuous operation with original components since 1996), and the LW52 and LW72 (2MW). The latter is also known as the Zephyros Turbine of which the prototype has been in operation for a number of years in The Netherlands (Maasvlakte) before being relocated as a commercial turbine in Poland during the course of 2009.

In Asia and more in particular in China, our parent company XEMC Windpower Co. Ltd. (Xiangtang, Hunan Province, China) some years ago acquired the rights to manufacture, market and sell the LW72 from Harakosan, the successor of Zephyros, on the Chinese market. The LW72 was rebranded, improved and today over 1300 onshore XE72 and XE82 Direct Drive PMG’s have been delivered by XEMC Windpower Co. Ltd.

In 2009 XEMC Windpower Co. Ltd. took over the assets of Darwind, the Dutch wind energy company developing the offshore direct drive 5 MW wind turbine. Spring 2010 XEMC Windpower acquired 95% of shares of the Dutch direct drive design house VWEC and the XV90 turbine was added to XEMC’s portfolio. Both companies now operate from the same premises in the Netherlands.

The Province of Hunan holds a majority stake in XEMC Windpower, the remainder of shares is traded at the Shanghai stock exchange. Financial backing and staying power of XEMC Windpower, de facto a State owned company, is therefore guaranteed for many years to come. XEMC is one of the largest manufacturing complexes in China.

Seen the company’s drive to become a global supplier and services provider of both on- and offshore Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Generators, XEMC Windpower’s acquisition of Darwind and VWEC has been a logical step. The alliance is a boost to the rapid development, prototyping and series production of both onshore and offshore turbines. Field experience and hard data, technological know how from both countries and (the) assets of a very strong & ambitious parent company are now combined into one:

“Dutch design integrity & Chinese industrialization power”

XEMC Darwind Management board:

Hugo Groenemans, Chief Executive Officer

Kees Versteeg, Chief Technical Office

Frank Strik, Chief Operations Officer