Google-contracted Swedish wind farm sees another crane crash

A crane collapse at the construction site of the 175MW Björkvattnet Björkvattnet (175MW) OnshoreJamtland County, Sweden, Europe Click to see full details wind farm has caused minimal disruption and produced no casualties, Swedish developer Treblade has revealed. 

In the second confirmed incident at the project, which is located in Jämtland county in north-east Sweden, an auxiliary crane overturned while on transit from a crane pad to another turbine, a Treblade spokesperson told Windpower Monthly. No one was hurt.

“The crane operator was alerted to certain crane components rotating. He was able to stop the crane and get out of the cabin,” the spokesperson said. “The crane slowly tipped over on its left side into the snow bank.” 

Treblade declined to confirm the exact timing of the incident. A previous crane collapse happened in January, delaying construction by three weeks. The project is now expected online this summer. 

The latest incident’s impact on the construction plan is “fairly minimal” because a smaller crane was involved this time, causing no blockage to construction traffic at the site, a Treblade spokesperson explained.

They added: “The crane and affected area are now secure, relevant regulatory notifications are progressing, and recovery plans are being developed.”

Björkvattnet is due to include 33 of GE’s 5.3-158 turbines and supply power to Google.