Turbine blades could be flying your way
Western Morning News | 11 July 2014 | www.westernmorningnews.co.uk
Western Morning News | 11 July 2014 | www.westernmorningnews.co.uk
A flaming 28 metre-long wind generator blade almost sparked a forest fire in Ireland after it was thrown as far as 100 metres from the tower of the machine, landing close to nearby gorse and forestry. This particular incident occurred at the Cappaboy Beg wind farm in County Cork on June 19.
‘Blade throws’ can occur during periods of very high wind speeds, but worrisomely the Cork incident happened during relatively mild conditions – although one of the hottest spells so far this year!
Noting also that the wind generator was completely destroyed, we have to hope and pray a similar occurrence does not happen with one of the four large generators at Milford Haven in west Wales which, unfortunately, are sited uncomfortably close to the gas/oil terminals there. Perhaps the authorities could offer the necessary assurances and guarantee that the potential for a very serious disaster would not occur if any of the generators sited there should catch fire, or indeed suffer from ‘blade throw’?
by Dave Haskell
Brithdir, Cardigan
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/11/turbine-blades-could-be-flying-your-way/