Grouse Mountain Wind Turbine: A High-Altitude Achievement
Surespan played a critical role in the construction of North America’s first wind turbine built at an extreme high-altitude location. Located at the peak of Grouse Mountain, the 1.5 MW wind turbine stands 65 meters tall and weighs over 250 tonnes. This engineering marvel, created in partnership with Italy’s Leitwind Technology, features the world’s only viewPOD, allowing visitors to stand three meters from its rotating blades.
In 2009, Surespan transported and erected the turbine using specialized equipment, including our LR1280 crane with an 80-foot lugging jib. Transporting equipment to the summit involved navigating a narrow mountain road and working near Grouse Mountain’s Grizzly Bear Den. On-site challenges included limited space and assembling the crane boom mid-air due to uneven terrain.
Despite these obstacles, the project was a success, providing energy to a much needed part of beautiful British Columbia.
