The nacelles of two 5 MW Areva wind turbines installed at Germany’s Alpha Ventus demonstration offshore wind farm are to be transported to shore for repair after problems were discovered in the units’ gearboxes.
Severe overheating in the gearboxes has forced the facility’s operator to shut down the units and it is possible that all six of Areva’s 5 MW Multibrid nacelles installed there will have to be exchanged.
Areva Wind and gearbox manufacturer Renk are likely to bear the full cost of the work, which cannot be carried out offshore.
Alpha Ventus is Germany’s first offshore wind farm and started operating in 2009.AlpA It comprises six 5 MW Areva units and six 5 MW units supplied by REpower.
It is owned by a joint venture of Vattenfall, E.On and EWE.
