ZF Services UK Ltd has signed up to the RenewableUK Wind Energy Charter, which sets out how the wind energy industry intends to deliver continued investment to the UK and its economy. The charter is formed around three core principles: investment in the UK’s energy security, the creation of tens of thousands of long-term jobs across a wide range of business sectors, and the provision of clean, safe and affordable energy.
Commenting on the charter, David Morgan, wind energy business manager at ZF Services UK, said: “Recent focus has been on ZF’s rapid expansion to become a globally recognised original equipment manufacturer of wind turbine gearboxes. By joining the supporters of the RenewableUK Wind Energy Charter we’re also reaffirming our continuing commitment to our home market – the UK’s wind energy industry.”
ZF Services UK has been contributing benefit to the wind energy industry in the UK since 2010, when the company opened its wind turbine gearbox overhaul facility at its Nottingham headquarters. The company offers a multi-brand, localised service incorporating preventive maintenance, unit overhaul and field service for both onshore and offshore wind turbines, and has already achieved approved supplier status with five of the top wind farm operators. The major advantage for operators is the fast turnaround achieved, minimising generating downtime that was previously an issue where a gearbox had to be returned to an OEM outside the UK for overhaul.
More recently, ZF has become increasingly involved at the manufacturing level. The company began expanding its activities by building a wind turbine gearbox manufacturing plant in Gainesville, USA. ZF Friedrichshafen AG subsequently acquired leading wind turbine gearbox manufacturer Hansen Transmissions International NV, which now trades as ZF Wind Power Antwerpen.
These developments complement ZF’s gearbox overhaul and maintenance service provision with full wind turbine gearbox OEM capabilities, to offer customers a comprehensive supply and service package. As a result ZF now occupies a top three position in terms of global presence, with state-of-the-art manufacturing plants for gearboxes in China, Europe, India and the US. In the foreseeable future, the next step will be using Hansen products to help expand the ZF Wind Power portfolio with wind turbines from 1.5-6 MW capacity and beyond.
