Electric grid expansion in Germany that follows rise in the development of wind and solar power development, resulting from an increase in demand for electricity, has also seen an increase in demand for transformers transport. 

Heavy transformers market has recently seen a boom and has also become a bit of a challenge for the shipping industry. Wagenborg Nedlift has recently been called into action in northern Germany to handle the transport of one transformer with a weight of over 395 tonnes.

The lift and the hill

With the weight of the transformer, Wagenborg Nedlift turned to Enak, a large sheerleg to load the unit onto SPMTs at the ferry quay in Kleinensiel. The transport combination was the required to climb up a 9 per cent incline to get to the top of the dike.

Once on the main route to the high-voltage substation, the huge transport continued its journey unhindered. At the final destination, the 500 tonne lifting gantry was ready to unload the transformer and place it on its foundation.

More transformers on the roll

Over 100 kilometres away, two large mobile cranes were used to unload a series of six transformers, each weighing 320 tonnes, from the barge. Each transformer was loaded onto a 14-axle conventional trailer via a tandem lift by the 700 and 800 tonne Liebherr powerhouses. The transport combination then temporarily parked the transformer a short distance away.

The transformers will then travel to their final destination by train. This is achieved by using a special two-part heavy-duty train frame, with the transformer suspended between the two sections. For this purpose, Wagenborg Nedlift’s team will prepare each transformer on the track with a jacking operation.

Over the next few weeks, the special rail vehicle will transport the transformers one by one to their destination.