Besøgscenter Østerild

About the museum

The National Test Center for Large Wind Turbines at Østerild in Thy was established by law in 2010; the site was chosen because strong and very steady winds blow here, far from residential areas and only a few kilometers from the North Sea coast. The test field is operated by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The test stands are used mainly to try out the latest generation of offshore turbines on land, with rotors reaching total heights of 200 to 280 meters.

Because tens of thousands of curious visitors came to see the giant turbines early on, a permanent visitor center was built and inaugurated on September 9, 2017. The roughly 600-square-meter project was carried out by Thisted Kommune, DTU and the Realdania foundation, supported by Naturstyrelsen and the wind industry. It was designed by Cubo Arkitekter: the slightly curved building with fiberglass cladding, hovering on stilts above the forest floor, alludes to the shape of a rotor blade.

The visitor center is operated by Thisted Kommune. The exhibition, with no staff on site, explains how wind turbines are built and how they work, shows various turbine models and invites visitors to experiment with small wind tunnels. Outside there is an observation tower made from the 14-meter-high base segment of a Vestas tower and a 62-meter-long rotor blade laid out in the forest. For school classes there is teaching material on physics and mathematics, and guided tours of the test site are also offered.

Highlights

• Close-up views of test turbines up to 280 meters in total height
• Observation tower made from the base segment of a Vestas wind turbine tower
• 62-meter-long rotor blade to touch in the forest
• Exhibition with turbine models and wind tunnels to try out
• Open daily year-round from 07:00 to 22:00 with free admission

Founded

2017

Operated by

Thisted Kommune

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. School tours cost DKK 1,500 plus DKK 10 per participant; tourist tours during the holidays are booked through Green-Team-Thy.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair-accessible according to Thisted Kommune and Naturstyrelsen. On the test site, turbine sites, construction areas and the area behind the barrier at Testcentervej are closed off.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Free wind and nature backpacks are available to borrow at the entrance, for exploring insects, animal tracks and wind speeds. Playground at the visitor center, wind tunnels for experimenting in the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

The visitor center is located in the middle of Østerild Klitplantage on Gl. Aalborgvej, about 7 km from the North Sea coast. Hiking and cycling trails partly follow the old railway line.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop: not available

No staffed sales; a vending machine offers coffee, cold drinks, snacks and souvenirs. Restrooms available, tables and benches outside for food you bring yourself, as well as seating inside the building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 60 guests.

A divisible meeting room for 24 people and the large exhibition room (28 seats at tables, up to 60 in theater-style seating) can be booked for classes, meetings or groups (testcenter@thisted.dk).

Plan your visit