How wind turbine technicians keep blades spinning from 360 feet in the air

A wind turbine technician on the job.Mariana Castelo Branco

• Wind turbine technicians dangle from heights of up to 360 feet to work on wind turbines.
• João Sardo has been working as a wind turbine specialist for nearly 20 years.

In Portugal, wind turbine technicians get paid nearly double the average salary. It is a highly specialized position, and technicians must hang from turbines the size of 35-story skyscrapers to make repairs and do inspections.

Wind turbine technicians on top of a wind turbine in Portugal.      Mariana Castelo Branco

João Sardo is a wind turbine specialist for the company Generg, owned by Total Eren. He has been working in wind energy for almost 20 years.

Sardo being interviewed at a worksite.      Mariana Castelo Branco

He decided to specialize in wind energy while studying mechanical engineering in college. Portugal was heavily investing in renewable energy when he got started in the industry in 2004 because the country lacks natural gas and oil reserves.

Sardo and his partner hang from the side of a turbine for an inspection.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Source: International Renewable Energy Agency

Sardo says working on top of the turbines is the best office he could ask for.

Sardo and his partner make an inspection of a wind turbine.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Companies use drones to monitor the turbines, but drones can only provide visuals. Technicians like Sardo still need to climb to feel for damage and make repairs.

A drone flies near a wind turbine to conduct a visual inspection.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Routine maintenance checks help keep the expensive turbines from breaking.

A field of wind turbines producing energy from the wind.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Wind turbines are constantly exposed to snow, rain, and temperature changes that can cause damage. Lightning strikes can cause damage, too.

A damaged wind turbine.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Sardo inspects turbines at a wind farm in the mountains of Caramulo. Before he does a maintenance check at a turbine that's already in operation, he must inspect the 70-meter blades of a turbine that hasn't been built yet.

Blades of a wind turbine sit ready for inspection on the ground.      Mariana Castelo Branco

These blades are as long as a Boeing 747, or nearly the length of a soccer field. Sardo checks them from the inside before they go up on a turbine, because the blades are the hardest parts to repair when the turbine is finished.

Sardo inspects the inside of a wind turbine blade before it is installed.      Mariana Castelo Branco

To inspect a finished turbine, Sardo climbs a ladder to the top.

Sardo makes the ascent to the top of the wind turbine.      Mariana Castelo Branco

He uses a rail lifeline to tether himself to the ladder and stay safe in case he misses a step.

Sardo double checks the rail line.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Sometimes João works on a turbine's generator in the heart of the turbine. It is located in a small room at the top.

The interior of a wind turbine's generator room.      Mariana Castelo Branco

At times, he has to step outside to check the blades.

The view from the top of a wind turbine.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Wind turbine technicians always work in pairs. They rely on partners in case something goes wrong. They often work in remote areas, which are difficult for rescue teams to reach.

Sardo and his partner begin their inspection.      Mariana Castelo Branco

João and his partner use leather gloves, helmets, nonconductive boots, and harnesses to stay safe. "We have to verify once, verify twice, until you feel safe," João said. "If you fall, there are no more chances."

Sardo doublechecks his harness.      Mariana Castelo Branco

João and his partner repel down the blade and check it for damage by tapping it with a hammer. They can tell if the materials are fracturing underneath the fiberglass by the sound it makes.

Sardo taps the blade of the turbine with a hammer to check for damage.      Mariana Castelo Branco

When the inspection is finished, they descend to the ground.

Sardo descends to the ground.      Mariana Castelo Branco

The turbines they are working on can power a single-family home with just one rotation.

One rotation of these blades can power a single family home.      Mariana Castelo Branco

João's job is highly specialized, so he travels to other countries in Europe to train people.

Sardo travels across Europe to train other wind turbine technicians.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Many European countries that relied on Russian oil in the past have been investing in renewable energy since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Many countries are increasing investment in renewable energies due to the war in Ukraine.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Source: International Energy Agency

The war spurred an energy crisis that saw oil prices spike globally. To combat increased prices and reliance on foreign oil, countries have invested in renewable energy, which is now set to double in expansion over the next five years.

A wind farm in Portugal.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Source: International Energy Agency

Generg, the company João works for, installs wind turbines throughout Portugal. Larger turbines can generate enough electricity in an hour to power 5,000 homes in Europe.

Workers transport a section of a wind turbine for construction.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Renewable resources make up about 60% of the energy consumed in Portugal. The government aims to make the country carbon-neutral by 2050.

Renewable resources make up about 60% of the energy consumed in Portugal.      Mariana Castelo Branco

Sources: Reuters | Portugal.gov