Under the contract to install the hoists, Granada Material Handling will also design, certify and test the crane systems to go along with the Demag hoists. The company provides certification under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998).
Granada’s crane system, dubbed ‘Python’, is specially designed to lift service components and equipment within wind turbines. The cranes are mounted on the foundation platform and will operate from two substations.
Demag released a statement saying it would offer technical support for the hoists lasting for the entire lifetime of the turbines.
Mark Sidwell, director of Granada working with Demag throughout the project, said: “We have had previous happy experience of working with Demag Cranes on similar offshore windfarm projects. We have worked closely with Demag Cranes in the development of a material handling solution, which meets the specific requirements of the Gwynt y Môr project.”
Capable of powering 400,000 homes, the 160 Siemens turbines at Gwynt y Môr are scheduled to begin producing energy in 2012.
