April 19, 2013
Scotland

90ft Aberdeenshire turbine felled by wind

By ALAN SHIELDS | Published on Friday 19 April 2013 | www.scotsman.comBy ALAN SHIELDS | Published on Friday 19 April 2013 | www.scotsman.com

A 90ft wind turbine has been blown over in Aberdeenshire.

Three blades were found scattered on the ground in a field near Hatton, in Banff and Buchan, after the turbine collapsed.

Local residents yesterday described the turbines as “dangerous” and said it was lucky no-one was walking in the area at the time.

The fallen turbine is one of two installed by Jim Anderson at his home last year.

The project was approved by councillors despite concerns that it could interfere with radar equipment at Aberdeen Airport.

Mr Anderson led a successful campaign against proposals for three other turbines near the airfield he owns at Auchenten a few months earlier.

The landowner used a tractor with a digger attachment to collect the turbine blades on Wednesday. Neighbour Willie Mitchell, whose home overlooks Mr Anderson’s land, said: “It just goes to show how dangerous these things can be.

“It’s worrying because there are so many turbines in this area now.

“If someone had been walking by when this came down, it could have been very serious.

“You don’t often hear about turbines coming down like this, but I reckon it’s more common than you think.”

However, Renewable UK, the trade association for the green energy industry, said such incidents are rare.

A spokesman added: “It is important to learn from such incidents and implement any lessons fully and promptly.”

Gale-force winds battered the North-east of Scotland throughout Tuesday. In Fraserburgh, Banff and Moray the high winds caused sudden sandstorms, creating havoc on the roads.

Snowploughs were brought out to clear sand from roads around Lossiemouth and Forres.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/19/90ft-aberdeenshire-turbine-felled-by-wind/