Repowering the Ocotillo Express Wind Farm
Mountain recently partnered with Pattern Energy to complete a major repower project at the Ocotillo Express Wind Farm in Southern California. The multi-phase project included full blade replacements across 105 towers, along with generator upgrades on select turbines to help extend the life and performance of the facility.
Heavy Lift Operations Across the Site
Heavy lift operations played a major role in the project, with crews utilizing multiple Liebherr LTM 1750 and Liebherr LTM 1400 cranes, Faymonville blade trailers, and RT cranes to support lifting, transport, and onsite logistics throughout the wind farm. Work was completed in two phases while maintaining coordinated operations across multiple active tower locations.
Working Through Challenging Conditions
The project required extensive planning and coordination due to environmental restrictions, archaeological monitoring requirements, extreme desert temperatures exceeding 120°F, and limited work areas. Despite the challenges, crews maintained safe and efficient operations throughout the duration of the repower.
Blade Recycling and Tracking
One of the standout aspects of the project was the recycling and tracking process for all 315 removed blades. Each blade was carefully documented, cut into sections, transported, and tracked through every stage of processing and final recycling to ensure complete traceability from removal to end use.
Supporting Renewable Energy Infrastructure
Projects like Ocotillo continue to highlight the importance of experienced crews, specialized equipment, and strong coordination in supporting the growing renewable energy industry and extending the life of existing infrastructure.
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