Collett has successfully wrapped up the delivery of 216 wind turbine components to the Limekiln Wind Farm, a significant renewable energy project featuring twenty-four Vestas V136 turbines. Nestled on the Limekiln Estate just south of Reay, Caithness, in the Scottish Highlands, the wind farm is currently under construction by Boralex. Over five months, Collett’s team meticulously planned and executed the logistics, demonstrating their expertise in handling large-scale, heavy transport projects.
The operation kicked off in May 2024 when the first components arrived at Scrabster Port. Collett’s port operations team oversaw the entire process—managing vessel berthing, crane offloading, and the discharge of the massive components. From there, the deliveries rolled out in phases, carefully synchronized with the wind farm’s construction timeline.
Transporting the colossal parts was no small feat. The delivery included 67-meter-long blades, hauled using specialized Nooteboom Super Wing Carrier trailers, and 74-tonne base tower sections, handled with newly commissioned 3×7 Nooteboom clamps. Additional key components like mid and top tower sections, nacelles, drive trains, and hubs were transported using a 6-axle step frame trailer.
Navigating the rugged Highland terrain posed its own set of challenges. Prior to the deliveries, Collett’s Consulting Department conducted an exhaustive route assessment. This included a swept path analysis to identify potential obstacles along the 45-minute route from Scrabster Port to the wind farm. The team pinpointed several modifications to facilitate safe passage—among them, street furniture removal, tree trimming, and, most crucially, widening a sharp bend near the port exit. This adjustment proved vital to accommodate the enormous blades. To ensure everything ran smoothly, Collett even carried out a test run using an extendable trailer with a 15-meter rear projection, simulating the loaded blade’s dimensions.
Police escorts were arranged for the more cumbersome blades and tower sections up to the site entrance, while Collett’s own escort fleet took over within the wind farm. Each component had to be carefully maneuvered across the expansive site to their designated pads—a process requiring both precision and teamwork.
Throughout the project, Collett worked in close coordination with Highland Council and BEAR Scotland, who manage the region’s A9 roads, to secure the necessary permits and facilitate route adjustments. Regular communication with Vestas and other key wind farm stakeholders ensured everything stayed on track, with daily meetings and progress reports keeping all parties informed.
By October 2024, the final delivery was successfully completed—marking a major milestone for the Limekiln Wind Farm project. This achievement was powered by a dedicated nine-member team, including three drivers, three steersmen, a project manager, a site supervisor, and a tow truck operator.
Once operational, the Limekiln Wind Farm will boast an installed capacity of 108 MW—enough to supply green electricity to approximately 40,200 households annually. It is projected to offset at least 65,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, contributing significantly to the UK’s renewable energy goals.
