Super Wing Carriers Deployed to Deliver 65-Meter-Long Blades
Collett & Sons has successfully delivered 88 wind turbine components for the Drumlins Park wind farm project in the Republic of Ireland’s northern County Monaghan.
The components transported by the UK-based heavy-lift specialist comprised batches of 11 blade and tower sections for eight GE 158RD turbines: three blades, three blade tips and five tower sections.
All the units were loaded at the breakbulk-handling Belview Port in Waterford and transported at night some 200 miles to the project site. The journey took a total travel time of nine hours.
Collett’s specialized fleet of trailers were deployed to carry out the move, which included super wing carriers to deliver the 65-meter-long blades, flattop trailers for the additional 15-meter-long blade tips, and tower clamp trailers for various tower sections weighing up to 62 tons a piece.
A test run carried out prior to delivery identified several challenges along the route, including overhanging trees and street furniture that required modifications. Collett deployed an eight-person team for the job: a project manager, three truck drivers, three escort vehicle drivers and a tow truck driver.
The Drumlins Park wind farm is being developed by Energia Renewables, part of the Dublin-headquartered Energia Group.
When complete, the farm’s eight turbines will generate up to 49 megawatts of renewable energy to meet the power needs of some 34,000 Irish households. Commercial operations are slated to start next year.
Collet & Sons is an exhibitor at Breakbulk Europe, the world’s largest gathering of project logistics professionals. To find out more about exhibiting at next year’s event on 21-23 May at Rotterdam Ahoy, click here.
