Trucks transport large wind turbine components to Niinimäki wind farm in Pieksämäki

In eastern Finland, trucks are currently transporting large components of wind turbines to the Niinimäki wind farm under construction in Pieksämäki, South Savo. The vehicles have delivered parts from Hamina port in Kymenlaakso over Monday and Tuesday of this week. Esa Liikanen, logistics manager at the transportation company responsible for the deliveries, noted that the convoy includes turbine tower sections and blades, with one blade measuring about 100 meters in length.

The heaviest components are the tower sections, weighing approximately 90 tons. Such heavy transports can measure around 40-45 meters long and about 6.5 meters high. The deliveries to Niinimäki are being made using three trucks along with accompanying vehicles that warn of the special transport and handle traffic control. During the transportation of the blades, the convoy can stretch to about half a kilometer, according to Liikanen.

These types of operations exceed normal traffic size and weight limits, necessitating special transport permits. The maximum allowable length for transport combinations is 34.5 meters, with weight limits sometimes exceeding 75 tons, depending on the vehicle type.

In Finland, while there are thousands of transportation companies, only a fraction specialize in heavy or special transport, as highlighted by SKAL, an industry advocacy organization. The permits for these special transports are issued by the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre, which also designates specific routes. Adjustments may be made along the route to facilitate transport, including temporarily removing obstacles like traffic signs.

Liikanen mentioned that the Niinimäki deliveries are typical compared to numerous ongoing wind turbine projects in Finland, noting that heavier and larger transports are common on the country’s roads.