The skills shortage within the sector is a challenge for all. Could robots be the solution? Here, Stacey Rivers, Business Development and Operations Manager at BladeBUG, explains how its innovative robots will operate both onshore and offshore, working independently, or collaboratively with a drone or technician, to perform a diverse range of inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) tasks.
We are heading for a global shortage of skilled, experienced wind technicians, with an increase of 33% required within the next four years: up from 426,700 in 2021 to 568,800 by 2026. That’s according to a joint report by Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), which revealed an additional 142,100 technicians will require training, equipment, logistics support, insurance and all other expenses incurred to carry out their role, if current labour-intensive operations & maintenance (O&M) practices continue.
