Blade repair and inspection specialist Altitec says it has partnered with a manufacturer of onshore and offshore wind turbines to provide end of warranty (EOW) blade inspections and repairs in the U.K. and Australia, expanding the company’s global presence.
Under the terms of the contract, Altitec will provide EOW inspections at 100 sites throughout the U.K. In addition, Altitec technicians will return to Victoria, Australia, in October to carry out further EOW blade repairs, following the completion of an initial six-week tour in June.
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 end of the warranty period is a crucial phase for both manufacturer and project owner, seeing as 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 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 U.K. and Australia, Altitec’s inspections and thorough reporting will play a key part in helping the manufacturer fulfill its warranty obligations.
Further, Altitec has partnered with a Melbourne-based distributor to secure the use of ActSafe Ascenders for efficient and environmentally friendly blade access, which allow Altitec’s trained rope access technicians to conduct up to 35% more work on average than without.
“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 for Altitec Group. “The deal represents a first foray into the Australian market, and we’re looking forward to further expanding our global reach.”
