Alpha Offshore Tops Blade Inspection Numbers

Alpha Offshore Service has completed more than 4,000 offshore wind turbine blade inspections so far in 2018, a 56% increase compared to 2017, previously said to be the company’s most productive period.

The Denmark-based wind energy specialist said it has seen a steady increase in requests for support as the global renewables market goes from strength to strength and the demand for wind turbine maintenance gains traction.

According to the company, a new record is anticipated next year as 5,400 blade inspections are already scheduled for customers in Northern Europe alone.

“Blade inspection and maintenance is the most common work we conduct as it is often the first part of the turbine to develop structural damage due to lightning and erosion caused by wear and tear and the environment,” Mikkel Lund, Chief Executive Officer, said.

“It is encouraging to see windfarm developers understanding the long-term value that a proactive and regular maintenance programme can offer.”

Alpha Offshore was acquired by global equipment and engineering services provider Sparrows Group at the end of last year, continuing to work as a separate entity.

Most recently, the company secured a contract for blade repair works at the Offshore Windfarm Egmond aan Zee (OWEZ) in the Netherlands.