Wind turbine installation
We develop lift plans and select suitable cranes for WTG installation. Installation follows OEM requirements and international and local standards.
A wind turbine converts kinetic energy of wind into electricity. It comprises structure, machinery, control, and safety systems. Main components:
- Rotor. Blades and hub. Most modern turbines have three blades; blade length can reach about 108 m.
- Nacelle. Houses the generator, gearbox (if any), control cabinets, and safety systems. Some designs include a transformer in the nacelle.
- Tower. Raises the rotor; steel or hybrid (lower concrete, upper steel). Offshore hub heights can reach about 140 m.
- Foundation. Transfers loads to soil and resists overturning. Large WTG foundations may span tens of metres in plan and about 10 m deep.
Installation can be grouped into three phases:
- Preparation and logistics.
- Foundation construction.
- Turbine assembly.
1. Preparation
Preparation includes WTG unloading and crane pad / access preparation. Unloading may occur before foundation works or after foundation pour; laydown must match the lift sequence. If civil works have not started, components must be stored without blocking earthworks and must remain reachable for later lifts.
Sound unloading plans and construction schedules reduce crane time and extra component moves.
Depending on the model, wind farm construction may require heavy cranes (often 500 t capacity and above) with long boom reach. We position main and auxiliary cranes from lift studies, site layout, and ground bearing capacity; temporary roads may be needed for crane moves and deliveries.
2. Foundation construction
Earthworks follow the design; concrete placement is critical: high-strength mixes, continuous pours, and reliable logistics. Some models use an anchor cage to connect the tower to the foundation.
High-strength concrete may not be available from every plant; large pours must be continuous and coordinated.
Quality depends on logistics and experienced contractors.
3. Turbine assembly
After the foundation reaches design strength, we erect the tower, assemble and lift the nacelle, and install the rotor per OEM procedures.
Tower installation
Most towers are multi-section (often 3–5) lifted in OEM sequence. Bolted tubular sections may be shipped in flanged modules and assembled on site when transport limits require it.
Nacelle assembly and lift
The nacelle is completed on the ground per OEM instructions, joints are sealed against moisture, then the assembly is lifted onto the tower.
Rotor installation
Typical schemes:
Hub and blades assembled on the ground
The full rotor is lifted and mounted to the nacelle in one piece.
Hub lifted first, then blades with lifting fixtures
Blades are installed with specialised tools and crane support.
We install WTGs across Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Call +375 (29) 747-07-09 (+7 (967) 351-67-68), email info@ecotek.pro, or use the contact form.
FAQ — wind turbine installation
Roughly: foundation civil works (often 2–3 weeks), concrete curing (often 21–30 days), tower and component lifts (commonly 1–2 days per turbine, weather dependent), then commissioning (often about 5–10 days).
Rotor, nacelle (generator, gearbox if used, controls), tower, foundation, and electrical systems for conversion and export.
Heavy main cranes (often 500–2000 t), auxiliary cranes, telehandlers, and trucks for crane components — depending on WTG size and site logistics.
OEM integrated lightning protection (Faraday cage principle), aligned with IEC 61400-24 for wind turbines.
Hub height is measured to the rotor centre; tip height adds rotor radius. Hub heights above ~140 m occur offshore; onshore hubs are often about 100–120 m; the largest rotor diameters exceed 250 m.
Yes, cold alone is not the main limiter. Constraints include wind speed limits for lifts, visibility, daylight, and crew exposure.
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