Blade upgrade campaign

Benefits

• Reduced cost and travel risk through supply of local labour
• Improved productivity through site- based training using a specialised blade supervisor
• Improved client responsiveness using local management
• Improved HSEQ performance through on the job training and pre-mobilisation briefing

Challenge

• Vestas is a key strategic client who require a range of ad-hoc services to support their service operations. A programme of blade upgrades using innovative serration, gurney flap and vortex generator technologies required additional labour at a remote wind farm containing 111 wind turbines 260km east of Perth WA
• Our client had a demand for a low-cost resource solution which could deliver services to the required standard
• Local and international Covid 19 restrictions had to be navigated to get the technicians to site as efficiently and cost effectively as possible
• Experience in blade maintenance using rope access technicians was necessary to deliver the service.

Summary

• Alpha, as a strategic global partner to Vestas, has a track record in supplying labour to meet operational demands
• At Collgar wind farm we supplied a blended team made from local technicians and travelling technicians from Europe to train and supervise site activity
• Our local office in Perth WA provided full logistics and HSEQ support ensuring all PPE, vehicles and supporting equipment was available prior to mobilisation
• Our global team based in Struer Denmark, provided overall management and technical support with assignment of a highly experienced technician familiar with the specific upgrades
• Our local team managed daily administration and operations support adding additional resource and field break replacements to ensure all client demands were satisfied.