Turbine first for Ainscough

UK Rental company Ainscough used a 500 tonne Liebherr LTM 1500 mobile crane to erect a wind turbine in the UK.

The E70-E4 2 MW turbine, commissioned by energy supplier Ecotricity, was the first to be installed in the county of Somerset, situated in south west of England. It has a hub height of 65 m and will generate up to 7 million units of electricity each year; enough for 2,000 homes.

The LTM1500 was rigged with 135 tonnes of counterweight and guyed main boom for the erection of the tower sections, the heaviest being 53 tonnes. A 42 m luffing fly jib was then added to lift the 51 tonne generator, as well as the hub and blades.

All lifts were completed in six days.