Building a farm

Below is a list of descriptions for the types of services that will be needed to construct the Lotus Wind project. To learn more about our Local Business Program or to sign up, please visit our Local Business Signup page here.

MAJOR CONTRACTORS

Balance of Plant Contractor (Like a General Contractor) – Leads the project, safety, and schedule. Manages all subcontractors.

Civil/Site Contractor – Responsible for building roads and grading around turbine installation.

Foundation Contractor – Responsible for forming, tying rebar, procuring, and pouring concrete foundations.

Electrical Contractor(s) – Responsible for building the substation, transmission line, underground collection lines between turbines, and wiring of the turbine.

Erection/Mechanical Contractor – Responsible for compiling turbine components, erecting turbine tower, and installing turbine generator, hub, and blades.

JOBS

Laborers

  • Skilled – Skilled labor refers to labor that requires workers who have specialized training or a learned skill-set to perform the work. 
  • Unskilled – Unskilled labor does not require workers to have special training or skills.

Civil

  • Carpenters – Concrete form work, stairs, decking (for office trailers).
  • Concrete Finishers – Foundation finishing work, O&M walks, and curb.
  • Rod Busters – Tie rebar for foundation pours.
  • Equipment Operators – Track hoes, bull dozers, motor graders/scrapers, back hoes, track/rubber tire loaders, skid steers, etc.

Mechanical

  • Pipefitters – Pipes to walls, structures and fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment. Pipefitters measure and mark pipes for cutting, threading and welding. 
  • Pipe Welders – Complete each weld to the specified standards using appropriate equipment and materials.
  • Riggers – Align, level, and anchor machinery. Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools. Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, using bolts and clamps.

Electricians – Read blueprints or technical diagrams. Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems. Inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers. Identify electrical problems with a variety of testing devices.

Crane Operators – Responsible for operating a stationary or traveling crane to lift, move, position, and reposition loads. Depresses buttons, lifts levers, and ensures load is safely attached to crane before bringing it down.

Project Manager – To plan, budget, oversee, and document all aspects of the specific project.

Superintendent – Trade specific – shall be responsible for scheduling, inspections, quality control, and job site safety.

On-Site QA/QC Managers – Inspect, test, and sample materials or assembled parts or products for defects and deviations from specifications. 

  • Electrical QA/QC Inspectors
  • Multi-disciplined QA/QC inspectors

Site Safety Personnel – Ensures that construction workers are following established policies and safety regulations.

Site Project Scheduler – Organize, implement, and maintain scheduling management system supporting identified projects and their plans. Assist to set up tasks and sub-tasks to ensure satisfactory realization of project contract requirements as scheduled.

Craftworkers – On-site creation or reproduction of objects using a variety of techniques, mainly welding.

Post Construction – Operational and Maintenance Jobs 

  • Facilities Manager – Oversee the daily operations of wind farms. Responsible for ensuring staff are maintaining and operating the equipment and that the wind farm is producing energy as expected.
  • Assistant Facilities Manger – Provide technical and sub-contractor support to the Facility Manager for the operations and maintenance of a wind farm. This includes managing the facility’s sub-contractors, site maintenance and operation, training, equipment testing, and responding to emergencies.
  • Wind Turbine Technician – Inspect the exterior and physical integrity of towers. Climb towers to inspect or repair turbine equipment. Collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis.

MINORITY CONTRACTORS AND MATERIALS SERVICES

Surveying – As-builts, alta survey, road and turbine layout

Sanitary Facilities – Port-O-Potty, temporary trailer hook-up

Road aggregate

Trucking – Stone hauling, equipment hauling

Pipe – PVC, steel, drain tile repair, irrigation repair

Fuel – Off/On road diesel, gasoline

Batch Plant - On-site

Concrete – Off-Site

Cement stabilization

Water

Ice

Office trailers

Office supplies

Electrical service

Phone/Internet service

Well drilling

Paving

Construction material testing

Engineering services

Drilling contractors – Substation piers

Boring contractor – Road and pipe bores

Dewatering

Equipment rentals – Lights, generators, tools, equipment

Trenching

LOCAL NON-CONSTRUCTION VENDORS

Restaurants

Convenience stores

Grocery stores

Local housing

Mobile home parks

Retailers

Gas stations