As the bitter North Sea winds sweep across the Scottish coastline, wind turbines stand poised to transform the energy landscape. A significant milestone was recently achieved at the COOEC Zhuhai Deepwater Equipment Manufacturing Base, where China's Zoomlion ZCC89000 ultra-large crane successfully completed the first lift of the JK1 jacket foundation section for the Inch Cape offshore wind project, injecting powerful momentum into Europe's renewable energy ambitions.
Record-Breaking Lift Operation
The operation set a new record for steel structure lifting at the Zhuhai base. The lower jacket section measures approximately 47 meters in length and 35 meters in height, with a total weight of 1,347 metric tons—equivalent to 1,000 small passenger vehicles. This massive structure demanded exceptional performance and precision from the lifting equipment.
To ensure successful completion, COOEC's engineering team implemented an innovative "main crane + dual auxiliary cranes" coordinated solution. The newly deployed Zoomlion ZCC89000 crawler crane, a 4,000-ton capacity behemoth, served as the primary lifting equipment. The crane demonstrated outstanding stability and wind resistance during the operation, with its intelligent control system ensuring millimeter-level precision in positioning the jacket foundation.
Precision Engineering
During the three-hour operation, the ZCC89000 worked in perfect synchronization with two auxiliary cranes, achieving positioning accuracy within ±3 millimeters. The equipment utilized China's BeiDou navigation system for real-time spatial positioning and a hydraulic synchronization control system with millisecond-level response times, showcasing the integration of heavy machinery with cutting-edge intelligent control technology.
The Inch Cape offshore wind farm, located in Scottish waters 15 kilometers from Dundee, has a planned capacity of 1.08 gigawatts. When fully operational with 72 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, the project will provide electricity for more than half of Scottish households, significantly boosting regional clean energy capacity.
Technological Breakthrough
This successful operation marks a significant technological achievement for China's offshore engineering capabilities while providing valuable experience for future renewable energy projects. The project's completion will contribute substantially to global energy transition efforts and carbon reduction goals.
Zoomlion, as a leading Chinese construction machinery manufacturer, continues to push the boundaries of ultra-large crane technology. The company remains committed to developing intelligent, environmentally friendly, and efficient heavy equipment to support global energy transformation and carbon neutrality objectives.
The ZCC89000's successful deployment in this European project represents a major breakthrough for Chinese-made ultra-large cranes in international high-end markets. Previously reliant on imported equipment, China has now developed domestic alternatives through independent research and technological innovation, enhancing the global competitiveness of its engineering machinery sector.
The application of BeiDou positioning and hydraulic synchronization control systems in this operation also highlights China's advancements in high-precision positioning and intelligent control technologies. These innovations not only improve lifting accuracy and efficiency but also provide more reliable technical solutions for future engineering projects.
As global energy transition accelerates, offshore wind and other renewable energy sectors are poised for substantial growth. Chinese enterprises like Zoomlion are well-positioned to contribute their technological expertise to this worldwide transformation.
আপনার বার্তাটি 20-3,000 টির মধ্যে হতে হবে!
