Helicopter firms wait for 'wind power'

Aerial vehicles to enable faster maintenance and repair work on offshore turbines, say experts

Helicopters are set to be the preferred mode of transport for China's rapidly growing offshore wind energy sector as they enable fast and easy transfer of technicians to the isolated turbines, often in challenging conditions, experts said.

Currently, China has more than 1,000 installed offshore wind turbines, and the country is seeing a rapid increase in its offshore wind capacity. The number of turbines is expected to grow to 12,000 in 10 years, and reach 35,000 by 2050, according to estimates by 4coffshore.com and IFA 2050 Forecast.