The height of maintenance skills have been demonstrated on the two giant wind turbines in Dundee’s Michelin plant.
Workmen needed a very high-reach platform to inspect the blades that dominate the city’s eastern skyline.
Contractors obviously with a head for heights climbed on to the platform that took them 85 metres to the hubs of the triple-bladed turbines.
With the hoist working downwards, they carefully checked the joints on the 35-metre surfaces to ensure the parts were properly connected and the structure was in good order.
Mike Donald, who is in charge of environment and protection at the plant, said the maintenance crew worked on one blade at a time with the blades being rotated to the platform positioned next to the towers.
“It is a very specialised task, with the men working from 85 down to 50 metres, and it needs to be done routinely to ensure that the turbines are working properly,” he said.
“They did one turbine a few weeks ago and this week they have finished checking the second turbine.”
In February the Michelin turbines passed a significant energy milestone.
Since their installation in 2006 they have generated more than 50 million units of electricity enough to power more than 1,500 homes or brew 350 million cups of tea.
Last year the blades of the two giant towers generated more than seven million kilowatt hours of electricity up 13% on the previous year.
Wind energy generation in the UK broke several records in 2013 when it produced more than 6.1 gigawatts of energy at peak in one day in December the highest daily production in the UK and contributed 22.4% of total UK electricity generation in November.
John Reid, factory manager at Michelin, said: “The wind turbines have been a great asset to our Dundee site, where they have helped to alleviate the challenge of increased energy costs and allowed us to reduce our dependence on the energy grid by producing our own sustainable power.
“The environment is an important priority for Michelin and we are always looking at ways we can improve our energy performance.
“Last year our wind turbines generated a 13% increase in electricity when compared with 2012, and provided around 25% of the electricity required to power the factory.
“We pride ourselves on our energy efficient credentials, and the wind turbines show our commitment to the green agenda and our respect for the environment.”
Nick Osbourne, of Ecotricity, which installed and maintains the turbines, said: “Merchant wind turbines like those at Michelin play a big part in greening up UK industry, while simultaneously slashing businesses’ energy bills.
“Passing the 50m units milestone is testament to how successful these turbines have been.”
The plans for the two £4m turbines were controversial when they were unveiled a decade ago, but concerns about their impact were largely overcome by the economic argument for them.
They have reduced the factory’s operating costs, improved its viability, safeguarded hundreds of jobs and boosted the city’s green credentials.