Collett Delivers 441 Wind Turbine Components to North Kyle Wind Farm
Collett & Sons Ltd, a leading UK name in specialist wind turbine transport logistics, has successfully completed all deliveries to North Kyle Wind Farm, located in East Ayrshire, Scotland. With a total of 441 components transported to build 49 Vestas V136 turbines, North Kyle marks the third-largest wind farm transport project ever completed by Collett. Deliveries of this complex project, commenced in June 2024 and completed in April 2025.
The project began with blades arriving at Glasgow's King George V Dock and other turbine components at the Port of Ayr. The first shipment was received in April 2024, with subsequent shipments continuing until late February 2025 in accordance with the delivery schedule. Blades departed from KGV Dock and other components from the Port of Ayr, traveling 65 miles and 34 miles respectively to the construction site, following the planned delivery schedule.
Due to the size and complexity of the components, the project demanded a highly coordinated approach. The deliveries were split into Phase A and Phase B, with Phase A delivering 28 turbines, accessed via east side and Phase B covering 21 turbines, accessed via west side. The longest components, 67-metre blades were transported on Super Wing Carriers, the bottom and middle tower sections on Nooteboom clamp trailers and 5 to 8 axle step-frame trailers were used to transport the nacelles and the remaining components such as the top tower sections, hubs and drive trains.
Phase A commenced in June 2024, with 252 components delivered via Entrance 1 on the east side, for 28 turbines. To accommodate the large components, Collett team worked closely with stakeholders to pre-plan site roads and optimise delivery sequencing, ensuring all components could be manoeuvred efficiently to their respective pads. In September 2024, a major disruption occurred on a section of the A713, blocking access to Entrance 1.
The damage, which began as a crack in the road few years ago, got wider and longer during investigations and eventually in September, resulted in the Council shutting down all abnormal load transport along this route. Working in close collaboration with Brockwell Energy and Jones Bros Civil Engineering, Collett's team swiftly rerouted the remaining deliveries via Entrance 2. Collett engineers supported Jones Bros Civil Engineering to produce updated swept path analysis reports and conducted further route surveys to verify the revised access points and expedited route modifications originally intended for Phase B.
These changes allowed deliveries to resume via Entrance 2 on the west side, accessed from the A76. This swift response reduced the impact on both the delivery schedule and wind farm's completion date. Despite adverse winter weather, including snow and ice, Collett successfully delivered the remaining Phase A components by December 2024 while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Phase B began in January 2025 and involved delivery of the remaining 189 components for the final 21 turbines. Once again, adverse weather conditions persisted through to the project's conclusion. Despite weather-related obstacles, the delivery schedule experienced only minimal delays and the final components were delivered to their respective pad by April 2025, officially concluding the project.
All deliveries were carefully scheduled, with three delivery slots per week allocated by police. Each movement was supported by Collett's own escort fleet, police escorts and a dedicated on-site team consisting of a supervisor, six trucks, three escort vehicles and a tow truck. Ahead of transport operations, Collett undertook comprehensive preliminary works, including detailed route surveys and swept path analysis to identify requirements for tree trimming and street furniture removal.
Road closures and significant roadworks required coordination with stakeholders such as Ayrshire Roads Alliance and the AMEY trunk road authorities, ensuring deliveries continued safely along the specified route. The North Kyle Wind Farm represents another milestone in Collett's track record within the renewable energy sector. Despite operational challenges and weather-related obstacles, Collett successfully delivered all 49 turbines, helping power Scotland's transition to clean energy.
Once operational, the wind farm will generate 220.5 MW, enough to power approximately 183,900 UK homes. Paul Worth, Project Manager at Collett & Sons, commented: ''The North Kyle project was a real challenge with large components, roadworks, winter weather and complex site access to navigate. When the A713 was closed for abnormal load transport in September, our team had to quickly rethink the delivery plan and reroute via Entrance 2.
Seeing everyone adapt so efficiently and still deliver all 441 components with minimal delays really highlighted the skill, planning and teamwork we have at Collett.''