15.07.2003

Ainscough goes green

UK crane hire company Ainscough was involved in a landmark lift recently after it was called up by electricity company and wind turbine builder Ecotricity to erect the lower tower sections and lift the hub and blades of what is now the UK’s tallest wind turbine. Ainscough’s massive 1000 tonne capacity Liebherr LTM11000D was rigged with 160 tonnes of counterweight, 31.5 metres of derrick mast, 47.6 metres of main boom and a 56 metre luffing jib to provide the main lifting power, while a 120 tonne capacity Liebherr LTM1120 was used for tailing crane duties. The 0.85 metre high hub, and blades, which produce a 70 metre rotor diameter, were lifted as a single unit to a height of 85 metres before being carefully fixed into position on top of the structure’s tower at the Ecotricity site near Swaffham, Norfolk. Please register to see all images

Ainscough's 1000 tonne capacity Liebherr LTM1120 was rigged with a shorter luffing fly jib to errect the lower tower sections weighing up to 66 tonnes each. (Picture courtesy of Ecotricity)

On completion, the 1.8 megawatt turbine will provide enough power for over 1200 homes and is the second turbine to be erected at the Swaffham site. The combined power generated by both turbines will supply 75 per cent of Swaffham’s total home electricity requirements, boosting Norfolk’s total wind power by 30 per cent. Ecotricity said that the building and erection of the latest Swaffham turbine is part of the company’s strategy to supply 1 million UK homes with its new green electricity tariff. Please register to see all images

The 1000 tonner lifted the turbine's rotor system 85 metres up into the air before setting it in place on top of the tower section. (Picture courtesy of Ecotricity)

“Dale Vince, Ecotricity’s managing director said: “It’s magnificent and a real thrill to think that this turbine will be producing clean electricity in a few days. This is the latest step in our mission to change the way electricity is produced in the UK.”