In this paper, a robust nonlinear predictive control (NLPC) is applied to a wind energy conversion system, using a variable speed turbine coupled directly to permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) with PWM rectifier and a load. The principle of this control consists in elaborating a control law such that the predicted output can optimally track a desired predicted reference in presence of the disturbance. The predictive control will be optimal if the finite horizon cost function is minimized. The purpose of control in our case is to adjust the rectifier voltage amplitude and the stator current of the PMSG even with the change in wind speed. This control has-been Implemented using Dspace DS1104 card, the latter allowed us to control the system in real time. Finally, the practical results and those obtained by simulation using MATLAB/Simulink are compared to illustrate the performances of the proposed control regarding tracking of the reference and the disturbance rejection. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.