Fixing the Problems: Repairs Under Way at some Offshore Wind Farms

One of the Adwen turbines in the Alpha Ventus wind farm lost its nacelle casing in early April. Meanwhile, operator EWE is still investigating the causes. As NDR 1 Niedersachsen reports the damage is likely to be caused by broken retaining bolts used to secure the three-and-a-half tonne gondola cladding.

Possibly all such bolts will have to be replaced - an expensive undertaking with major implications. Five other turbines of the same type at Alpha Ventus are currently not connected to the grid, nor are the 121 turbines at Global Tech 1 and Trianel Borkum West 2 with the same turbine type.

Several British offshore wind farms also need to be improved. Turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa has launched a repair and upgrade campaign at the Anholt offshore wind farm, which will soon be continued at London Array. Both farms have 3.6 MW Siemens Gamesa turbines with erosion at the tips of the rotor blades.

It remains to be seen whether other wind farms with other turbine types of the company will be affected. Meanwhile, operator Ørsted assumes no or only minor financial losses, as the damage occurred within the warranty period.

Meanwhile, Siemens Gamesa is performing minor upgrades to improve the turbines' performance during the repair, as offshoreWIND.biz reports.