Scotland has replaced the generator of an offshore wind turbine without the need to tow it back to land, setting a new global record in this field. This operation was conducted in July and August off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland, by the Dutch company LiftOff in collaboration with Vestas. This success is being hailed as a turning point for the wind energy sector, which is growing in significance as countries search for more environmentally friendly energy sources to combat climate change.
Offshore wind turbines are growing in size and efficiency, enabling them to generate more energy per sweep. However, performing major maintenance, such as generator replacements, has traditionally required towing the turbines to land. This process involves fossil-fuel-powered vessels, which undercuts the environmental benefits of wind energy. For example, Hywind Scotland’s floating wind farm recently announced that turbines would be towed to Norway for maintenance, halting power generation for 34,000 homes and releasing significant emissions during transport.
In contrast, LiftOff’s approach revolutionizes how offshore wind maintenance is handled by keeping all operations onsite. Instead of relying on land-based facilities, LiftOff used its innovative GenHook crane, which was towed to the turbine site on an offshore support vessel (OSV). GenHook was temporarily installed on the turbine, enabling the 9.5 MW turbine’s generator to be removed and replaced entirely at sea.
Thore Abel, director of global service contracting at Vestas, noted that “tow-to-port operations for major component exchanges have been a longstanding challenge in floating wind energy.” LiftOff’s solution addresses this by allowing for onsite repairs, significantly reducing emissions and downtime. The controlled load management during the lift ensured the operation’s safety, as the turbines constantly move due to wind and wave conditions. This successful swap marks a new chapter in sustainable offshore wind energy operations.