Client
Aikengall Community Wind Company Limited
Value
£390k
Sectors & Services
Aikengall Windfarm, situated in the hills above Dunbar, south of Edinburgh, comprises multiple turbines generating renewable energy for the region. During routine inspections, CRL identified excessive movement in the steel embedments of several turbine towers, indicating instability in the concrete bases. This posed a risk to the structural integrity of the turbines and potential operational downtime, threatening energy production.
A planned programme of remedial works was therefore required to stabilise the towers, mitigate safety risks, and ensure continued efficient operation. CRL’s prior expertise in structural repairs and grouting solutions made them the ideal partner to address these issues and deliver a long-term solution for the windfarm’s infrastructure.
Services undertaken
-
Hydrodemolition to expose reinforcement
-
Core drilling to create injection ports
-
Resin injection to stabilise turbines
-
Spray-applied waterproofing to prevent water ingress
-
Installation of remote movement monitoring equipment
CRL developed a bespoke repair methodology to stabilise the affected turbine bases, focusing on areas where the steel embedments exhibited excessive movement. Initial works involved hydrodemolition to expose the reinforcement within the concrete, followed by core drilling to create precise injection ports. Ductile epoxy resin was then injected into the failed load-bearing zones, effectively flushing out compromised material and reinstating structural integrity. This deep injection technique ensured the concrete bases regained their load-bearing capacity and restored alignment between tower and foundation.
To prevent future water ingress, a primary contributor to deterioration, a high-quality spray-applied waterproofing system was applied to the base annulus, creating a durable barrier. The first turbines were fitted with bespoke remote monitoring equipment to record tower movement over several years, confirming the success of the repairs and ensuring compliance with original design tolerances. Works were carefully scheduled over a five-year programme, minimising turbine downtime and energy generation loss.
CRL’s methodical approach has now been successfully applied to over sixty turbines, demonstrating scalability and repeatable reliability.
“CRL's remedial method delivered efficient, lasting stabilisation of the concrete bases. The turbine performance is now fully reliable.”
Murray Soutar | Regional Director (Scotland & Ireland) | CRL
The stabilisation works delivered a long-term solution that ensures structural reliability and operational continuity for the Aikengall Windfarm. By combining precision resin injection with waterproofing and continuous movement monitoring, CRL safeguarded the turbines against future structural issues and water-related degradation.
The project highlights CRL’s ability to develop innovative solutions for complex infrastructure challenges in renewable energy, contributing to sustainable asset management and reduced maintenance requirements. Close collaboration with Community Windpower and Siemens Gamesa ensured a seamless delivery, optimising efficiency while maintaining minimal downtime. The works enhance durability, resilience, and the overall performance of the turbines, providing long-term value for the client.
