Collett delivers turbine and generator

18 August 2020

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UK special transport company Collett & Sons delivered a 160t turbine and a 120t generator from the Port of Tilbury to the Rookery South Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) in Stewartby, Bedfordshire.

Preparation for the 78-mile journey began in December 2019, when Collett, in association with the project partner German logistics solutions provider Karl Gross, took management over the UK leg of the project.

The initial feasibility of the movement was immediately assessed, ensuring it was possible to transport the turbine from port to site in a fully constructed form. This in turn, assisted the manufacturer in the turbine production schedule and reduced the on-site build time.

With the largest item, being the turbine, measuring 8.9m (L) x 5.3m (W) x 4.8m (H) and weighing 160t, Collett undertook analysis of various under and over-ground services and structures. The biggest challenge being to keep the loaded height below 4.95m to allow use of the motorway network. Collett used laser scanning technology to accurately measure headroom along various routes.

Prior to delivery Collett worked with the Port of Tilbury to plan the cargo discharge, including crane lift plans and an agreed programme of works for all discharge operations. Several street furniture had to be removed to allow for the safe passage of the 70m long Scheuerle 550 girder bridge.

At the Port the turbine and generator were discharged directly from the vessel onto the girder bridge trailer and secondary modular platform trailer. Within 24 hours of unloading the cargo, both payloads were en route. At the Rookery site the turbine and generator were removed from their respective trailers and were installation.

Rookery ERF is scheduled to open 2022 with the capacity to dispose 545,000t of residual waste and generate over 60MW of low carbon electricity per year.