September 4, 2013
Scotland

Wind turbine destroyed by wind

Stephen Jones, MSN UK News | 4 September 2013| /news.uk.msn.com

Two blades have been torn off a wind turbine in Scotland following storms last week, leading to fears over the safety of similar structures which stand near schools.

The large 60 kilowatt turbine, pictured above with a single blade remaining, stands near a main road and was apparently destroyed by 40mph winds in the Highlands region of Dunhobby. One blade is believed to have been tossed around 60 yards, according to local media.

Thirteen such turbines were turned off there last year amid concerns they may be dangerous, although those have since been reopened, with the Highland Council assuring locals they will operate operate safely at speeds of up to 134mph.

The incident prompted calls from campaigners to assess the risk of similar structures, which stand near schools across the region.

Speaking to the Mail Online, Stuart Young, chairman of Caithness Wind Information Forum (CWIF), said: “Highland Council steadfastly refuses to acknowledge any risk from siting small wind turbines in school playgrounds and considers that only at 80mph – twice the wind speed which destroyed the Scrabster Hill turbine – is there any need to consider action.”

Highland Council says it is ‘satisfied’ at the safe operation of the turbines in schools. The Dunhobby turbine is not the first to have encountered trouble, with three turbines in Huddersfield similarly damaged in much higher winds in January 2012.

The wind turbine at Dunhobby, shown with a single blade remaining after storms last week

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/04/wind-turbine-destroyed-by-wind/

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