May 8, 2013
England

Wind turbine blades 17 metres long ripped off in high winds

Windturbine blades 17 metres long ripped off in high winds | Halifax Courier | 8 May 2013 | www.halifaxcourier.co.uk

Walkers had a narrow escape as blades on a wind turbine ripped off in high winds across common moor land.

The 17m turbine blades split and scattered across Ovenden Moor Wind Farm, Cold Edge Road, Wainstalls, Halifax.

Walkers and local residents were stunned at what could have been a nasty accident and fear for further blade breakages.

Energy provider E-on has a total of 23 wind turbines which tower at 32 metres tall on Ovenden Moor Wind Farm.

After the accident, a workman erected a safety fence around the turbine and a sign saying “danger, falling objects” was attached to the moor entrance gate.

But local resident Ann Arran, 64, of Lower Hazel Hurst Farm, Wainstalls, Halifax, who discovered blade debris said: “The safety fence they’re erecting after the carnage is inadequate as broken blade pieces could fly and land anywhere in high winds.”

Sue Midgley, 37, of Spring Mill Fold, Wainstalls, was out walking with Ann. “I couldn’t believe what we saw, it was frightening having to continue walking across the land.”

Ann said: “At any minute more of the blades could shatter and who knows how long it will be until other turbine blades break – with disastrous consequences.

“It’s public land. More must be done to protect the people.”

E-on issued the following statement: “We can confirm that one of the turbines at our Ovenden Moor Wind Farm has suffered damage due to a technical issue and is under further investigation.

“Health and safety is of utmost importance to us. A fence has been erected to secure the area as a precaution with a 24 hour security presence on site.”

The wind power farm has been in operation since 1993. In 2012, Calderdale Council Planning permitted the construction of nine turbines, up to 115 metres to blade tip, on Ovenden Moor Wind Farm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/08/windturbine-blades-17-metres-long-ripped-off-in-high-winds/

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