Optimized wind farm installation delivers two week time saving

Mammoet Wind, the turnkey solution provider for the wind energy industry, has successfully installed nine Siemens wind turbines at the Juktan wind farm in Blaiksjön, Sweden. Project owner Vattenfall contracted Mammoet to do the entire scope of the Juktan project, including shipping, onshore transportation, crane operations, and both mechanical and electrical installation. By managing the entire project, Mammoet Wind was able to optimize the whole process and deliver all nine turbines two weeks ahead of schedule – saving time and money for the client.

The nine Siemens SWT 3.2 Direct-Drive turbines were manufactured by Siemens Wind Power in Denmark. Mammoet Wind picked up the turbines, blades and other components at four different production facilities and transported them to the port of Aarhus in Denmark. At this central point a load-out of all components for shipping to the port of Skelleftehamn in Sweden was performed. After the load-out, all components were transported to the Juktan project site by truck on conventional trailers. Mammoet Wind participated in the road surveys along the transport route beforehand and provided engineering support for road layouts and hardstands on site.

The Juktan wind farm is located in a forest area with very limited space for maneuvering, particularly for three of the nine turbines. For six turbines there was enough space to perform a so-called ‘full-rotor’ installation in which the complete rotor with three blades would be installed at once. Because of the limited space available for three of the turbines, it was initially thought that these could only be installed by means of a ‘single lift’ operation, during which each blade would be lifted and installed separately.

Seeking a more efficient approach, Vattenfall requested a review of the possibility to perform a full rotor lift on all nine turbines. Mammoet found a way, and a comprehensive and meticulous lifting plan was prepared. This plan, alongside the crew’s skill and experience, enabled them to perform all nine operations as full-rotor installations, despite the restricted space. The integrated approach saved almost two days of installation time per turbine and two weeks in total. Close cooperation between the safety supervisors of Mammoet Wind and Vattenfall ensured a safe execution of all lifts throughout the operation.

The Juktan project, with its precision crane work and efficient installation approach, is the start of an ongoing collaboration between Mammoet Wind and Vattenfall. Brian Bech Hansen, project manager for Mammoet Wind said: “By carrying out the entire project scope Mammoet Wind has demonstrated the benefits of one contractor taking on the full responsibility for executing a project. With this project, we have moved Mammoet Wind to a higher level within the wind power industry, as the main contractor capable of supplying a complete turnkey solution.”

Stefan Karlsson, the Project Manager for Vattenfall agrees “By managing the shipping, transport, crane and installation contract in one package we were closer to the project and that made it possible to find suitable solutions during construction. The cooperation between Mammoet, Vattenfall and Siemens in the Juktan project was excellent”.

Mammoet Wind executing the full-rotor installation – despite limited space for maneuvering at the project site – saving one and a half to two days of installation time per turbine.