Vanguard provides craning solution for wind energy project

© Sandor Jackal – za.fotolia.com

The company will lift and position the Vestas V112, 3 megawatt (MW) WTG's at an average rate of two a week on the R1,2bn facility, which can generate up to 60MW of renewable energy - enough for about 40,000 homes - from the last quarter of 2014.

Once the base of the turbine tower is secured on its foundation at the wind farm site, Vanguard's GTK1100 crane and support crane are then positioned to 'top and tail' the two top tower sections of each turbine, according to project manager Joost Heystek. With the two top tower sections weighing up to 60-tons and measuring up to 30-metres in length.

Considerable weight

"We then lift and position the remaining components of the turbine," said Heystek. "This includes the nacelle, which is the cover housing for all the generating components - the generator and drive train - hub and the three 55-metre turbine blades."

The drive train alone weighs some 60 tons, with the combined weight of the nacelle and its contents exceeding 130-tons. The considerable size and weight of the nacelle makes it necessary to transport its components separately and to assemble them on site, making for a demanding and well-coordinated operation among the service providers.

Being chosen for the strength of its winds, the site posed its own challenges for the lifting team. "We carefully monitor the wind speeds and wind gusts," Heystek said. "Different components are more aerodynamic than others, so they have differing maximum wind speeds in which they can be safely lifted and positioned. On occasion we must simply wait for calmer conditions before we can continue."

Deployment of highly experienced personnel, combined with specialised equipment, ensures that the project has proceeded quickly and efficiently.
Vanguard teamed up with Azari Group, who are the mechanical and electrical installation service providers of the WTG's.