The company (located in Orkney Scotland, UK) is a new developer of wind power and will have 60 x 1.5 -1.8 Mw turbines in place 2004-5 placing it as the largest company for this system of renewable energy in this area. The company has extensive experience in alternative energy (particularly wind turbines) and is at the forefront of research and developments in this area. Fairwind needs to run its own specialised wind turbine service crew from for necessary maintenance so will be a first client for the deliverables of this project. The practical experience provided by the staff of Fairwind will be invaluable in the evaluation and development of the different techniques for this purpose.

Reason for participating
As mentioned previously Fairwind needs to provide maintenance services for its wind turbines and hence benefit from the NDT development, which will contribute to providing quality and low cost maintenance. Fairwind is also in a very good position to take on some (or all) of the exploitation, post project to other wind turbine companies because of their present unique links with these companies. Having co-ordinated and co-ordinating several EC projects to date with a combined value of €4.5m Dr Gowland, the Managing Director of Fairwind, is a prime candidate for and has accepted the key role in the project as the Exploitation Manager

Role in the project
WP-A Manager and extensive work for WP-G: PSC: Fairwind's involvement will involve the specification of the system and testing of the prototypes on existing turbines. It will also be involved by providing specialised input on end-user exploiter, and assistance in co-ordination.