December 15 - Collett (Ireland) has completed the delivery of turbine components for two wind farms in the Republic of Ireland.
The subsidiary of the UK-based Collett Group transported four 2.75 MW turbines to the Meenwaun Wind Farm in County Offaly and 13 2.85 MW turbines to the Tullahennel Wind Farm in County Kerry.
Before making the complex journey of over 300 km, from Belview Port, near Waterford, to each of the farms, Collett undertook test drives, simulating the carriage of the largest components - the 50 m and 60 m blades.
During the test drives, Collett staff identified points at which street furniture would need to be removed and trees pruned, as well as pinch points and lay-up areas for driving breaks.
Travelling in convoys, under private and police escort, Collett managed to meet its schedule of delivering all components for one complete wind turbine per week.
The two farms are expected to be operational within a few months, with Tullahennel becoming the first in Europe to integrate a battery into each turbine for energy storage.