Epic wind turbine delivery by Collett

Tower section on a Nooteboom clamp trailer. Photo: Collett

Transport specialist Collett & Sons completed all the deliveries – a total of 441 components – for the North Kyle wind farm in East Ayrshire, Scotland.

Deliveries started in June 2024 of the components to build 49 wind turbines, type Vestas V136. Collett is a specialist in wind turbine transport logistics and North Kyle is the third-largest job of its type for the Yorkshire-based company.

It began with arrival of the 67 metre-long turbine blades at the King George V dock in Glasgow and other components at the Port of Ayr. Collett transported them 65 and 34 miles (105 and 55 km), respectively, to site, following a prearranged schedule.

Co-ordination was a vital element in the success of the project because of the size of some of the components. Deliveries were separated as either Phase A or Phase B. Phase A was 28 turbines delivered via the east side, with the remaining 21 delivered in Phase B via the west side.

Nooteboom Super Wing Carriers were used by Collett on the North Kyle project. Photo: Collett

Specialized equipment

Super Wing Carrier trailers from Nooteboom in the Netherlands were used for the turbine blades. The lower and middle tower sections went on Nooteboom clamp trailers. Step-frame trailers with between five and eight axles transported the nacelles and other components, including the top tower sections, hubs and drive units.

Phase A saw 252 components delivered via Entrance 1 on the east side of the site. Disruption came in September 2024, however, when a crack in the road led to suspension of abnormal load transport movements into Entrance 1.

Working with Brockwell Energy and Jones Bros Civil Engineering, Collett rerouted the remaining deliveries via Entrance 2. Swept path analysis reports were updated and additional route surveys were conducted to verify the revised access points. Adverse winter weather, including snow and ice, added further complication but Collett had everything for Phase A delivered by December 2024.

Delivery of the remaining 189 components for Phase B started in January 2025. Bad weather continued for the duration but only caused minimal delay, Collett said.

Details

Unloading a 67 metre blade on site. Photo: Collett

Police allocated three delivery slots per week so all deliveries were carefully scheduled. Collett used its own escort fleet and police escorts. Its team on site consisted of a supervisor, six trucks, three escort vehicles and a tow truck.

As part of the route surveys and swept path analysis to identify any tree trimming and street furniture removal requirements, Collett identified necessary road works and closures.

Commenting on the project Paul Worth, Collett project manager, said, “The North Kyle project was a real challenge with large components, roadworks, winter weather and complex site access to navigate. When the A713 was closed for abnormal load transport in September, our team had to quickly rethink the delivery plan and reroute via Entrance 2. Seeing everyone adapt so efficiently and still deliver all 441 components with minimal delays really highlighted the skill, planning and teamwork we have at Collett.’’

North Kyle wind farm will generate 220.5 MW, enough to power around 183,900 homes.