Collett were appointed to deliver 110 Enercon E92 turbine components, including 44.5 metre-long blades, to the Craiggore Wind Farm project located in County Derry, Northern Ireland.
Over a year before deliveries commenced, Collett’s Consulting department were contracted to undertake multiple route surveys and produce swept path analysis reports to identify the most feasible route. It was determined the 44.5- metre-long blades would need to contraflow Drumcroon Roundabout and the removal of various street furniture would be required along the route.
Preparation for the 35-mile journey began with Collett working closely with local authorities and providing a traffic management plan which identified areas along the route that needed modification. Subsequent to this, Collett undertook a test drive with a pre-determined configuration to simulate the transportation of the 44.5 metre-long blades to ensure the blades safe delivery to site.
Having undertaken all temporary route modifications ahead of the component’s arrival at the Port of Lisahally, over a series of weeks, the Collett Team completed all deliveries to Craiggore Wind Farm, situated approximately 6 miles South West of Limavady in County Derry.
Over the course of the two-month project, a total of 110 turbine components were safely delivered to site along with multiple ancillary loads necessary for the development of the wind farm.
Collett delivered each of the various components utilising their fleet of specialist equipment and trailers. For each of the thirty 44.5 metre-long blades, Collett employed the use of their 3 & 4 axle extendable blade trailers, whilst the 67 Tonne generators were transported on 6-axle step-frames.
The tower sections, four for each turbine, required the use of step-frame trailers, with the heavier of the four sections, the bottom tower, necessitating the use of a 3 bed 4 modular trailer to facilitate the 66 Tonne loads.
Travelling in convoys of three, and accompanied by Collett’s Pilot Vehicles, each of the components travelled from the Port of Lisahally, along the A2 and A37 before picking up the A29 at Drumcroon Road Roundabout ahead of arrival at the wind farm site. Each of the 110 components were delivered outside peak hours, limiting the road-traffic congestion and ensuring extensive public safety.
Niall Herr, Logistics Manager at Enercon said “As expected, Collett & Sons provided a very professional competent service when delivering the Craiggore Wind Farm. 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. We look forward to working with Collett & Sons again in the future on the island of Ireland.
Craiggore wind farm will be energised by the end of 2021 and be capable of producing clean, low carbon electricity for approximately 21,500 homes. Craiggore Wind Farm has been hailed for its pioneering approach to development –using cutting-edge technology, which will produce approximately 80 GWh a year over a design lifespan of 25 years.