The tallest wind turbine is 365 meters high. GICON aims to generate twice as much energy.
The German company GICON reached full height for the pilot turbine in Schipkau on October 2, 2026. The structure is 365 meters tall including the blades, with a rated capacity of 3.8 MW. The manufacturer claims that by operating at such a high altitude, it can generate twice as much energy as a conventional turbine with the same rotor.
The rotor’s hub is located 300 meters above the ground. The entire installation is currently the second tallest structure in Germany, only surpassed by the Berlin TV tower.
At this height, the wind should be stronger and more consistent, allowing the turbine to operate more frequently and for longer periods with higher power output. GICON mentions a doubling of energy production over time, rather than simply doubling the turbine’s capacity. The current pilot unit has 3.8 MW, while future versions are expected to exceed 7 MW.
The tower was raised without a giant crane
Placing the gondola at a height of 300 meters required a different approach compared to typical wind turbines. GICON used a telescopic tower housed inside the lattice structure. A special lifting system extended its inner section, which was then secured in its final position.
“365 meters. It’s an overwhelming moment for our entire team,” said GICON’s founder and CEO, Jochen Großmann. He added that what was long a design and construction challenge has become a unique installation in Schipkau.
The project was created for Germany’s Federal Agency for Innovation, known as SPRIND. Official commissioning is scheduled for November 2026, but final work must be completed first.
Up to 4000 tall turbines above existing farms
GICON and SPRIND aim to utilize great heights even on existing wind farms. The new turbines would create a sort of second floor, with their rotors operating above the blades of current installations without requiring additional large areas of land.
Preliminary estimates suggest that as many as 4,000 such turbines could fit on German wind farms. However, this is not a construction plan nor an approved order book. The installation in Schipkau remains a pilot project, and the promised energy output has not yet been confirmed during normal operation.
The company is already discussing commercialization with industry representatives and wants to start mass production as soon as possible. First, though, the turbine must be tested in November. Only the results from subsequent months will show whether the additional 200 meters of structure truly deliver twice as much energy as promised.
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