First wind turbine operations commence with ALE's tower cranes in Australia
ALE's K1650L tower cranes have begun work to install wind turbine generators (WTG) near Port Augusta in southern Australia, where they will help to power 155,000 homes. It is the first time this type of crane has been used for wind turbine installation in Australia, ALE says in its news release. ALE has brought two of the innovative cranes to the country, where one recently commenced work at Lincoln Gap Wind Farm.
The K1650L tower crane was selected for the project due to its high wind speed tolerance and small footprint. The crane’s compactness means the size of hardstand can be reduced by more than 50% in comparison with other cranes widely used in the wind industry, allowing cost and time savings in civil works.
This also helps to reduce the crane’s environmental impact – a particular benefit for Australia, where several wind farms are planned close to forested areas. Being able to significantly shorten the boom up and down area is a great contribution to overall project efficiency because less space needs to be cleared to position the crane.
ALE has been contracted to install 14 WTGs at the Lincoln Gap Wind Farm site, which will begin commissioning the first of its 59 wind turbines later this year.
ALE previously utilised the advantageous capabilities of these tower cranes in Thailand, where, with a hub height of 162m, they were used to install the tallest WTGs in South East Asia.
Founded in 1983, ALE is now one of the world’s leading international heavy transport and installation contractors with a global network of operating centres and a large fleet of heavy cranes, specialist transport and installation equipment. ALE introduced the innovative K1650L tower crane, which will make cost and time savings for clients in the wind sector. The K1650L has lifting capabilities like no other free-standing tower crane on the wind energy market, with an increased lifting height, and the ability to work at high wind speeds and with uneven or small hardstands.
