Blade maintenance
Wind Turbine Blade Maintenance by Rope Access
Vortex generators, trailing edge serrations, blade painting and lightning protection upkeep, carried out on the turbine by rope access with no crane and no blade removal.
At a glance
BladeTex blade maintenance at a glance
- Service
- Blade maintenance and upgrades on wind turbines
- Method
- Rope access, on the turbine. No crane and no blade removal
- Work
- Vortex generators, trailing edge serrations, blade painting, lightning protection upkeep
- Parts
- Supplied by you, by the turbine manufacturer or by BladeTex
- Turbines
- Vestas, GE, Siemens Gamesa, Enercon, Nordex and Senvion
- Area
- Every province in Canada. Based in Edmonton, Alberta
The service
What we do
BladeTex is a rope access contractor based in Edmonton, Alberta. Our crews carry out blade maintenance and upgrades on wind turbines in every province in Canada, on Vestas, GE, Siemens Gamesa, Enercon, Nordex and Senvion turbines.
Vortex generators
Small fins that keep airflow attached to the blade. We install them on blades in service.
Trailing edge serrations
Saw-tooth panels along the trailing edge that reduce blade noise. We install them on blades in service.
Blade painting
Single-blade painting for bird safety, recoating of worn blades, and blade tip and marking stripes.
Lightning protection upkeep
Receptor checks and continuity testing of the blade’s lightning protection system.
We install vortex generators and serrations supplied by you or by the turbine manufacturer, or we can supply them.
Why it matters
What the work does for a turbine
Each of these jobs is small next to a blade repair, and each one shows up in how the turbine runs.
More output
Vortex generators keep airflow attached to the blade, which helps the turbine produce more.
Less noise
Serrations reduce trailing edge noise, which matters on sites close to homes.
Bird safety
In a Norwegian study, painting one blade black cut bird fatalities by about 70% at the test turbines.
Lightning ready
A lightning protection system only works if the path to ground is intact. Testing confirms that it is.
Working with us
How a job runs
01
Assess
We agree the scope, the parts and the turbines with you.
02
Prepare
Blade surfaces are checked and prepared, and any damage we find is reported to you.
03
Carry out
The work is done to the manufacturer’s or OEM instructions.
04
Report
You receive a report with photos of the work.
Why BladeTex
Blade work by blade specialists
Blades are what we work on every day. The crews who install your vortex generators and serrations are the same crews who inspect and repair blades, so anything else they see on the blade gets reported.
- GWO-trained rope access technicians.
- Work carried out to the manufacturer’s or OEM instructions.
- 12-month workmanship warranty on the work we carry out.
- A report with photos of the work.
- Our own crews carry out the work, with no subcontractors.
- DNV-certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
Technician support
Technicians for your maintenance programs
BladeTex also supplies GWO-trained technicians to support wind turbine maintenance programs. Tell us what your site needs.
Questions
Common questions about blade maintenance
Can blade maintenance be done without removing the blade?
Yes. Our technicians work on the turbine by rope access, so no crane or blade removal is needed.
What do vortex generators do?
Vortex generators are small fins fixed to the blade surface. They keep the airflow attached to the blade, which reduces flow separation and helps the turbine produce more.
What do trailing edge serrations do?
Serrations are saw-tooth panels fitted along the trailing edge of the blade. They reduce the noise the blade makes as it moves through the air.
Whose vortex generators and serrations do you install?
Either. We install parts supplied by you or by the turbine manufacturer, or we can supply them.
What blade painting do you do?
Single-blade painting for bird safety, recoating of worn blades, and blade tip and marking stripes.
Why paint one blade a different colour?
It makes the rotor easier for birds to see. In a study at the Smøla wind farm in Norway, painting one blade black reduced bird fatalities by about 70% at the test turbines.
What does lightning protection upkeep include?
We check the lightning receptors on the blade and test the lightning protection system for continuity.
Do you supply technicians for maintenance programs?
Yes. BladeTex supplies GWO-trained technicians to support wind turbine maintenance programs. Tell us what your site needs.
Which turbines do you work on?
We work on Vestas, GE, Siemens Gamesa, Enercon, Nordex and Senvion turbines. If your turbine is not on that list, ask us.
Where do you work?
BladeTex is based in Edmonton, Alberta, and carries out blade maintenance in every province in Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
What do I receive after the work?
A report with photos of the work carried out.
Is the work covered by a warranty?
Yes. Our blade maintenance work carries a 12-month workmanship warranty.
How much does blade maintenance cost?
It depends on the work, the parts, and how many blades and turbines are involved. Tell us about your site and we will send you a quote.
Can it be combined with other blade work?
Our crews also carry out blade inspections, blade repair, leading edge protection and oil cleanup. Ask us about combining them in one visit.
Page last updated November 2026.
Planning blade maintenance?
Tell us about your site and the work you need, and we will come back to you with a quote.
