The vast Turkana wind farm, where the low-level jet from the Indian Ocean blows all year round, is home of 365 wind turbines with a blade span of 52 meters. It is the largest wind power project in Africa. At the beginning of February, a XCMG XCA220 from China drove into the wind farm and started its on-site inspection and maintenance work for up to four months.

The wind farm is located among mountains and deserts where is hot, windy and dusty. The average wind power reaches 20m/s, and there is a 10km continuous uphill ramp. The harsh construction conditions in Africa are extremely challenging for the cooling system, climbing ability and vehicle stability of the machinery.

Compared with the fan installation, the fan inspection and maintenance has even higher requirements in terms of operation accuracy. XCA220 can fight hard and long-lasting battles: it is equipped with multi-mode driving technology and heavy-duty high-pressure braking system, which makes XCA220 more adaptable to driving conditions. It has better slope assistance of heavy-duty driving. Fully closed hydraulic system is adopted for accurate and safe lifting.

XCA220 is able to continuously climb 10 kilometers to the top of the mountain; continuously operate at 30 ℃ for more than 10 hours; hoist the 8t gearbox in place at a height of 70m under the interference of 18m/s wind. Overhauling a fan in three days, XCA220 is the record breaker!

XCA220 has been stationed continuously for four months. LU Hui, XCMG's overseas service engineer, has been guarding the whole process. ‘Once there was a small problem with the vehicle, so I went to the construction site in the desert alone to repair it.  The client was quite worried about my safety.’ Since then, when LU Hui does his job, local clients would always give company. LU Hui's professional and exclusive service gives customers assurance, and customers' consideration also gives full warmth to XCMG workers who are alone in a foreign land.

At present, these 365 wind turbines are rotating all the time. Each of them can provide 850 KW of electricity. The wind farm increases Kenya's power supply by 13%, bringing lower power costs to the Kenyan people and generating 310 MW of renewable energy for East African countries. XCA220 will continue to be stationed on the site and contribute to Africa's largest wind power project.