As wind farms move further offshore, the logistical challenges around O&M are becoming more complex. Longer journeys by crew transfer vessel reduce the amount of time that technicians have to undertake work on the turbines: a problem that can be compounded by short weather windows. When DONG Energy contracted a helicopter to support its O&M logistics at Westermost Rough, it became the Danish company’s first wind farm in the UK to use such a strategy. This O&M Case Study looks at DONG’s approach, the key advantages and disadvantages of using helicopters in offshore wind, and the challenges and lessons learned.
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