ZF Wind Power inaugurates largest test rig in TN with 13.2 MW capacity

ZF Wind Power, a division of the global technology company ZF, inaugurated the largest test rig for gearboxes and powertrains in Coimbatore, aimed at addressing industry challenges.

The commissioning of this 13.2 MW test rig enables ZF Wind Power to meet rapidly growing demand while strengthening its position as a system partner on the road to a sustainable future.

The test rig is India's largest test facility, designed to develop and test next-generation gearboxes and powertrains, the company said in a statement on Friday.

The state-of-the-art test rig in Coimbatore can simulate dynamic load conditions, making it an essential tool for advancing the reliability and performance of future powertrain technologies.

It enables comprehensive testing and validation of gearboxes and powertrains, ensuring they withstand the rigorous demands of modern wind turbines.

While ZF Wind Power's plant has a world-class manufacturing and assembly setup, the dynamic testing capability of this test rig facilitates real-time simulation of field conditions, specifically torque reversal cycles.

"This step is essential to receive approval from customers, insurers, and certification agencies to launch new designs," the company said.

ZF Wind Power CEO Felix Henseler said, "The 13.2 MW test rig is an integral part of ZF Wind Power's commitment to India's wind energy ambitions. Together with our partners, we cooperate on every challenge in the development and full life cycle of new products."

"ZF Group is investing in India to offer complete solutions-from research and development to testing and validation-for both global and local needs. In the next phase, we will establish a cold chamber test facility, enabling our India plant to deliver comprehensive end-to-end solutions for both global and Indian markets," he added.

The 13.2 MW test rig is not only a groundbreaking advancement in the Indian wind industry but also underlines ZF's global reach and state-of-the-art production capabilities.

"The test rig strengthens our broader strategy to drive sustainable energy solutions and empowers the development of more efficient and reliable wind turbines," said ZF Group India President Akash Passey.

"Furthermore, this aligns with our strategic goals and supports Indian and global efforts to transition toward renewable energy sources," he added.

To date, ZF Wind Power in India has supplied close to 60 GW of wind gearbox capacity from Coimbatore for both domestic and global markets.