Uruguay's 1.2GW wind push could spark logistical nightmare

A convoy of blades and tower sections heading to the Sierra de los Caracoles wind farm. The parts were so big they stopped all work at Montevideo port

Huge wind turbine convoys will have to travel across Uruguay every working day from July 2012 to December 2014 if the country is to reach its goal of 1-1.2GW of wind power by 2015.

Significant logistical challenges are emerging as projects contracted over the past year begin construction, with bonus payments promised for wind farms that can produce power before December 2014 — adding extra pressure to the situation.

Santiago Mullin, a technical adviser to the Uruguayan wind-power association, Audee, predicts that convoys of eight or nine turbine components must be transported each working day for two-and-a-half years from July to hit 1.2GW, assuming that each project uses 2MW models.

“Whoever gets in first will have an advantage,” he tells Recharge.

Restrictions at the port of Montevideo —…

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