Lagerwey starts testing climbing crane

Dutch wind turbine manufacturer Lagerwey on Thursday said it has started testing its climbing crane for installing wind turbines.

Described as the first of its kind in the world, the device is being tested at the company's first 4.5-MW L136 turbine in Eemshaven, northern Netherlands that was erected earlier this year.

The crane has undergone testing on the ground and now its climbing and hoisting abilities will be tested in practice, the company said. The tests will last several weeks and Lagerwey will use the crane in October for the construction of the second L136 turbine.

The climbing crane builds the wind turbine tower and then uses the tower to climb upwards. Lagerwey said it addresses the issues related to the transportation and construction times for the large cranes needed to build the ever-increasing wind turbines. It could also make it easier to install high wind turbines offshore.

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