Collett Hauls Wind Components to Ireland Yard

Abnormal load transporter Collett & Sons Ltd. recently delivered 110 wind components and ancillary loads over two months in support of the Craiggore Wind Farm project, about six miles southwest of Limavady in County Derry, Northern Ireland.

The Enercon E92 turbine components included 445-meter-long blades. Following delivery, the wind farm, which has been lauded for its cutting-edge technology and “pioneering approach to development,” will be energized by the end of the year and will produce about 80 GWh of energy per year over 25 years, providing clean, low-carbon electricity for about 21,500 homes.


Advanced Planning

Collett’s consulting department began multiple road surveys more than a year before deliveries commenced. It produced swept path analysis to identify the most feasible routes for the 35-mile journey from Port of Lisahally, working with local authorities to provide a traffic management plan that identified areas along the route that needed modification.

The consulting department determined the 44.5-meter blades needed to contraflow Drumcroon Roundabout, as well as removal of hazards along the route. Collett then took a test drive with a pre-determined configuration to simulate the transport to ensure safe delivery of the blades to the site.

For the blades, Collett used their three- and four-axle extendable blade trailers, while the 67-tonne generators were transported on six-axle step-frames. Tower sections – four for each turbine – required step-frame trailers, with the bottom sections needed three bed four modular trailers to handle their 66-tonne loads.

Travelling in convoys of three, and accompanied by Collett’s pilot vehicles, each of the components traveled from the Port of Lisahally, along the A2 and A37 before picking up the A29 at the Drumcroon Road Roundabout ahead of arrival at the wind farm site. The components were delivered outside peak hours to limit road-traffic congestion and ensure public safety.

“Collett & Sons provided a very professional competent service when delivering the Craiggore Wind Farm,” said Niall Herr, logistics manager at Enercon. “In particular, by suppling a dedicated on-site project manager, whereby effective and reliable communication/coordination between haulier and Enercon site management on a daily basis was achieved.”