Cargo of a record-breaking scale was handled by the Port of Waterford over the weekend. A vessel load of 80 metre-long wide-turbine blades were shipped to the Port of Waterford due to the port’s expansive riverside space, ability to handle cargo of exceptional size and proximity to the motorway network.
The vessel, BBC Citrine 153m, arrived from Turkey with the 80m long blades, which are the longest ever imported to Ireland, and it is believed are also the longest in the UK. The record-breaking exceptional loads of wind turbine blades were unloaded and are currently been stored at the Port, set to be transported by road to their destination at Cushaling Wind Farm, Co. Offaly.
Several organisations and teams were involved in the record-breaking project over the weekend from the Port of Waterford marine, tug and mooring operatives, pilots, and agents, stevedoring cargo handlers South East Port Services and transport operators, Colletts Transport and Celtic Shipping.
Cushaling Wind Farm is being developed by Statkraft and will mark the first use of the Vestas V162-6.2 MW EnVentus turbines in the Irish market. The 9 turbines, which have a tip height of 185 metres and will be the largest on any wind farm in Ireland, will maximise the potential of the local wind energy resource. The nine-turbine development, which will deliver 55.8MW of urgently needed clean renewable energy to the grid, represents a €95 million investment by the company.
