Wind-turbine blade specialist, Altitec, has partnered with a leading manufacturer of onshore and offshore wind turbines, to provide end-of-warranty (EOW) blade inspections and repairs, expanding the company’s global presence.
Under the terms of the contract, Altitec will provide EOW inspections at 100 sites throughout the UK. In addition, technicians will return to Victoria, Australia in October to carry out further EOW blade repairs, following the successful completion of an initial six-week tour in June.
Altitec has secured the use of ActSafe Ascenders for efficient and environmentally friendly blade access, which lets trained rope-access technicians conduct up to 35% more work.
Blade damage is the most common cause of downtime across the wind energy sector, according to a recent report from renewable energy insurer, GCube, and EOW inspections and repairs are an essential part of ensuring long-term operational performance. The EOW period is a crucial phase for manufacturer and project owner, since it marks a transition in where responsibility lies for technical issues experienced on site.
Any problems identified during EOW inspections are covered by equipment warranties and, therefore, must be resolved by the manufacturer, prior to the commencement of long-term service contracts. Detecting and repairing faults and routine damage at this stage helps to avoid project downtime and financial losses later in the project lifecycle.
At the projects in the UK and Australia, Altitec will make use of its considerable experience conducting specialist blade inspection and repair on wind farms throughout the world. Altitec’s inspections and thorough reporting will play a key part in helping the manufacturer fulfill its warranty obligations.
The company has partnered with a Melbourne-based distributor to secure the use of ActSafe Ascenders for efficient and environmentally friendly blade access. The use of powered rope ascenders allows Altitec’s trained rope-access technicians to conduct up to 35% more work on average than without, significantly boosting the efficiency of the firm’s operations.
“Altitec’s unparalleled experience in blade repair and ability to draw on a well-established network of ActSafe partners was crucial to securing this contract,” noted Tom Dyffort, Managing Director, Altitec Group. “The deal represents a first foray into the Australian market, and we’re looking forward to further expanding our global reach.”
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