ALE delivers for Carrington power station

An alternative logistics solution was ALE’s answer to a power plant component transport challenge on the Carrington project in the UK.

Heavy lift, transport and installation specialist ALE completed a turnkey package to transport and install heavy equipment for the Carrington CCGT Power Station in Manchester in the north of England. Components included a 385 tonne gas turbine, a 361 tonne generator, HRSG modules, each weighing 220 tonnes, and steelwork casings weighing 70 tonnes.

Transportation of abnormal loads by road is becoming increasingly challenging so ALE provided an alternative solution. In conjunction with the local canal authorities they led and managed the design and build of a bespoke mooring facility on the Carrington site for transport by ro-ro barge.

Having received the equipment at Ellesmere Port, ALE loaded it onto self propelled modular transporter (SPMT) using ships gear. A 14-axle line group of SPMT carried the turbine and generator across the quay to the storage area for transport to the Carrington site via barge. The HRSG modules and the casings were transported to the barge using a 20 row 2 file SPMT.

At Carrington Power Station, the gas turbine and generators were installed using the ALE Lift and Lock gantry lifting system. Installation of the HRSG modules and casings was completed using ALE’s Gottwald AK-912-1 lattice boom crane.

“We have worked with all the major power equipment manufacturers to provide a fully integrated ‘from source to site’ logistical service that takes care of everything from investment and infrastructure to permits and programmes,” said Matt Rushton, ALE senior sales manager. “We are providing logistics solutions that are more efficient, more cost effective and more specific to the requirements of each project.”