Wind turbines are big business for local logistics industry

The logistics sector is set to have its hands full with the growing renewable energy sector that will see between 3000 and 4000 loads a year move to sites across the country to meet the targets set. Speaking at the Breakbulk Africa Conference in Johannesburg recently Mike Mulcahy, operations manager for Greencape, said to meet the targets of delivering a minimum of 7GW of energy through renewable energy by 2020 there had been an increase in wind and solar photovoltaic projects in the country. “This bodes well for the logistics industry,” he said. “As one is looking at 8-10 abnormal loads for one turbine alone. Then there is all the other cargo that has to be delivered. We estimate between 3000 and 4000 loads a year. Then there is all the work involved in the clearing of cargo coming in, the permits that have to be sourced, the equipment that has to be in place.” A single wind turbine is made up of at least nine large components, says Eugene Yntema, project manager for ALE Heavy Lift South Africa. “This includes the tower and foundation, the hub, nacelle and the blades. If one looks at the specs of these components it is easy to see why at least eight abnormal loads are required to deliver a single turbine to a site. They are large and bulky pieces of equipment weighing in at around 340 tons per turbine.” With the blades alone between 47 and 55 metres and the tower pieces ranging between 17 and 28 metres with diameters of around 4.2 metres, the logistics involved in setting up a wind farm or solar plant is huge. “The logistics industry in the country is sure to benefit from the increased number of projects,” said Yntema. “We are seeing increased activity already with more and more players stepping into the arena.” According to Yntema servicing the current projects under way practically means delivering two turbines per week. “That is the tempo that we are working at currently and it is set to increase if the projects increase as is expected to be the case.” INSERT & CAPTION At least eight abnormal loads are required to deliver a single turbine to a site. – Eugene Yntema