Whether you’re researching the most in-demand trades in the clean energy sector or comparing the earning potential of said trades, you’ll find that wind turbine technician is a competitive entry on either list. The reason for this is twofold. The first is that wind energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy segments, meaning there is a staggering demand for skilled professionals to fill out the ranks. Second, working at heights is not for everyone - it requires a steady hand, calm demeanor, and a level of physical fitness simply to access the work area. When combined, these two factors result in a field that is not only constantly searching for qualified workers, but one that pays well and offers plenty of opportunities.   

While working for clean energy in any capacity is a worthwhile pursuit, there are few roles that can match the opportunities and earning potential of wind turbine technicians. In this article we’ll define the role of the wind turbine technician, the skills they need to thrive, and explore the growth opportunities of the industry.

What Do Wind Turbine Technicians Do? 

Like any other technician, wind turbine technicians, or “wind techs”, are tasked with the service and maintenance of a very specific type of equipment, with one important difference; the majority of a wind tech’s work is completed hundreds of feet in the air inside the nacelle of a wind turbine. Wind turbines, part of the green energy movement, are increasingly dotting many landscapes across North America, placed in strategic areas where they can convert the greatest amount of wind energy into electricity. These staggering edifices comprise of three main components: the tower (which ranges in height between 60m and 120m), the blades (each averaging 52m in length), and the nacelle, which houses all of the turbine’s electricity generating equipment.  It is in the nacelle where the wind turbine technician will complete the majority of their maintenance tasks. 

Though maintenance schedules and tasks may vary based on several factors including a turbine’s manufacturer and year-round versus intermittent operation, there are some responsibilities that are universally shared by wind turbine technicians the world over. Turbine inspection, for example, is something that is required on a regular basis and will generally require the technician to use a number of different tools to inspect the condition of the blades, integrity of the tower, nacelle, and generator. Inspection activities may also include taking photos and measurements of components for documentation purposes. 

Though some turbines have self-cleaning systems that will remove dust and debris from the tower, blades, and nacelle, these duties are more often than not completed manually by the wind turbine technician using various cleaners and pressure washing equipment. Cleaning away build up ensures the equipment operates as intended and facilitates the visual inspection of the equipment.

Lubrication of bearings and gears is a key responsibility of the wind turbine technician. Since wind turbines are typically only inspected once every few months, it is vitally important to ensure adequate grease or oil is applied to these components of the turbine. Proper lubrication will ensure that wear and tear is minimized and ensures optimal rotational movement. 

A wind tech must also perform the occasional repair of damaged parts. This can range from having to deal with worn bearings and gearboxes up to and including blade replacement. Modern wind turbines use electronic monitoring systems to monitor equipment health within the nacelle. When an issue is detected, an alarm is generated informing the technician of the problem before they arrive on site. 

What Skills Do Wind Turbine Technicians Need to Develop? 

Wind turbine technicians have to bring a lot to the table in terms of technical, physical, and problem-solving skills. While these skills are by no means unique to wind tech discipline, the environment in which these skills are applied is like no other. 

From a technical skills perspective, successful wind turbine technicians should have strong foundational knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems. Technicians should also be familiar with the components of a wind turbine system, how they work, and most importantly, how to work safely with them. This latter point is particularly crucial due to the often isolated location of wind turbines and the inherent challenges associated with obtaining medical assistance while working within the nacelle. As for equipment, a wind turbine technician should know how to use voltage testers like multimeters, hydraulic tools like torque wrenches, bolt tensioners, nut splitters, and cranes. A variety of small hand tools will also comprise their kit. Lastly, wind turbine technicians need to be proficient in the computer software used for controlling the wind turbine as well as the diagnostic software used to facilitate identifying any issues within the system.

Even a layperson with no industry experience can come to the conclusion that being a wind turbine technician is a physically demanding job. The physical challenges however, do not begin and end with scaling the wind turbine itself; environmental conditions such as inclement weather and small spaces can test the limits of even the most skilled technicians. With that said, a wind tech must be in good physical shape, possess good hand eye coordination, balance, and above average stamina. These will all come in handy as the wind turbine technician completes the heavy lifting, maneuvering, and climbing that comes part and parcel with this career. 

While technical knowledge and physical aptitude are vital to this role, a wind turbine technician’s ability to problem-solve is arguably their most important asset. Since maintenance activities are performed on site, wind techs must be able to handle any unexpected malfunction or issue that arises. Having the ability to analyze a situation, determine the root cause, and rectify the malfunction in an efficient manner is of the utmost importance in keeping the wind turbine operational. 

What is the Growth Potential for Wind Turbine Technicians? 

In the introduction of this article, we alluded to the demand and growth potential associated with wind turbine technicians. Let’s take a look at some of the numbers that back up this claim. In the United States, for example, the projected growth rate of wind turbine technicians is expected to outpace the average growth rate of all other occupations. Between 2022 and 2032 the projected growth rate is 45% which translates to roughly 1800 new wind turbine technician jobs each year over that time range. 

The wind turbine boom is largely driven by innovation. Newer, taller turbines are built with larger blades reducing the net cost of wind power generation and making it more competitive with conventional energy sources like coal and natural gas. This downward pressure on the cost of wind generation makes wind farm investment more viable which in turn will lead to new wind projects that will require more wind turbine technicians to maintain them. 

Finally, more and more countries are buying into the potential of wind energy. On a global scale, the capacity for wind energy is expected to reach 2000 gigawatts by 2030. For context, just one gigawatt is enough energy to power 750,000 homes. Put another way, it is estimated that wind power will supply upwards of 19% of the global electricity requirements by 2030. This increase in capacity means more than half a million wind turbine technicians will be needed globally by the end of the decade. 

Get Swept Up as a Wind Turbine Technician 

There is something to be said about working in an industry that is actively moving towards solving society’s growing need for renewable sources of energy. Though being a Wind Turbine Technician is not without its challenges, it is still one of the most sought after roles in the clean energy industry. Data suggests that this field will continue to grow alongside the growth of the wind turbine sector itself. If you’d like to learn more about what it takes to become a Wind Turbine Technician or learn about the industry and job market, consider enrolling in George Brown College’s Wind Turbine Technician program.