World’s Largest Main Bearing Test Facility Nears Completion at LORC

A significant milestone has been reached in the development of the world’s largest Main Bearing Test Facility, currently under construction at the Lindø Offshore Renewables Center (LORC). R&D Test Systems, the engineering company behind the project, has successfully completed the complex lifting and installation of a 560-ton test load unit, the core component of the new test bench.

Using Lindø’s 1200-ton gantry crane and with just 25 centimetres of clearance on either side, the Test Load Unit (TLU) was lifted through the roof and positioned with remarkable precision. Measuring 16 metres in length, 9 metres in width, and more than 8 metres in height, the system includes a drive system designed to simulate the extreme loads experienced by offshore wind turbine components. One of the heaviest individual elements, a 260-ton shaft with a diameter of up to 5 metres, underscored the scale and complexity of the installation. Calm weather and thorough planning were essential for completing the operation in a single day. By evening, the building was fully sealed once again.

“This kind of operation is about more than engineering. It is about execution at the highest level,” said Nicolas G. Andersen, Vice President for Operations at R&D Test Systems. “We are proud to be pushing the boundaries of what is possible in component testing for the wind industry together with our strong partners LORC and Schaeffler.”

Once operational, the facility will enable full-scale testing of next-generation main bearings for offshore wind turbines. This capability will help manufacturers validate performance, improve reliability, and accelerate product development cycles. Schaeffler will be the first bearing manufacturer to utilize the new test bench.

The installation of the large-scale test facility marks a major step forward in ensuring the quality and resilience of key turbine components. By enabling realistic, high-load testing scenarios, LORC is helping to drive innovation and support the continued growth of the global offshore wind sector.