SCX, the UK crane service company, has refurbished cranes in three hydroelectric power stations belonging to Scottish & Southern. The multi-million pound contract also included the supply of new cranes and hoists for a further three dam head sets.
Scottish & Southern has a rolling programme for refurbishing its 77 hydroelectric power stations. SCX won the contract for modernising the cranes at the Invergarry and Striven power stations as well as the Ceannacroc underground station. It was the first time these cranes had been overhauled since being installed 30 years ago.
Among the improvements made was the installation of remote controls. Power and control cables, drive motors, brakes, limit switches and hoist ropes were also replaced.
The cranes are used for general maintenance work and for periodic strip-down of generators and turbines. Refurbishment of the cranes had to go ahead before the main station refurbishment work could begin.
