Overhaul of Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft gathers pace

The new turbine blades after arriving at Ness Point in Lowestoft ahead of installation on the Gulliver wind turbine. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

And continuing to loom large over the town as it is situated on the UK's most easterly point at Ness Point in Lowestoft, works to refurbish and upgrade the Gulliver wind turbine are gathering pace.

Renewable energy investment company, Thrive Renewables, said it's undertaking "a significant overhaul to secure the future" of Suffolk's first commercial wind turbine.

The second blade of three being installed on the Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

As work started last month, it has seen the nacelle - which houses the gearbox and control systems of Gulliver - refurbished with the three blades at the top of the tower upgraded.

The second blade of three being installed on the Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With Gulliver measuring 413ft from its base to the tip of its highest blade, it has seen a major operation carried out.

The new blades and logos installed on Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) After the new blades arrived last week a crane and specialist lifting equipment have been witnessed carrying out the removal and fitting of the new blades with great precision.

One of the new logos installed on Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) All three blades have now been fitted and new signage has been added to the nacelle, after Thrive Renewables was granted planning permission to update the logos displayed at the top of the tower.

One of the new logos alongside the new blades installed on Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It has seen the previous SLP Energy Ltd logo replaced with a Seatrium Limited logo on one side and a Thrive Renewables Plc logo on the other.

The new blades and logos installed on Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The new blades and logos installed on Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With works on Gulliver wind turbine, based at Gas Works Road in Lowestoft, expected to be completed by the end of October, Adrian Warman, head of operations at Thrive Renewables, said: "After exploring the options available to us, we have decided the time is right to make a significant investment in Gulliver’s long-term future with a full overhaul of the generator to enable it to operate reliably going forward."

The new blades and logos installed on Gulliver wind turbine in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)