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Turbine collapse shock sparks fears over Scout Moor
Credit: By Michael Morrison, Hyndburn reporter | Lancashire Telegraph | 7 January 2015 | www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
The international renewables firm at the centre of a major investigation in Northern Ireland supplied wind turbines in East Lancashire, it has been revealed.
A probe was launched after an 80-metre wind turbine worth almost half a million pounds collapsed on a mountainside in Northern Ireland.
It emerged yesterday that the supplier of the turbine, Nordex UK, sold 26 N80 turbines for the Scout Moor wind farm in Edenfield in a deal worth around £47.8 million in 2006.
The same type of turbines, which have three rotor blades with a speed of up to 18.9rpm, were supplied to the Screggagh wind farm, on Murphy mountain near Fintona in County Tyrone.
The cause of the collapse on Friday was unclear as winds were light.
It is believed the rotor blades spun out of control and the sound of the mechanical structure crashing to the ground could be heard up to seven miles away.
Some people compared it to an explosion while others claimed to have heard the sound of metal grinding throughout the day.
Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry said: “I’m very concerned to hear that the turbines at Scout Moor are the same as the one that was involved in this dangerous incident in Northern Ireland.
“Scout Moor is a very popular place for walking and I will be seeking reassurances from United Utilities and Peel Energy that the turbines here are 100 per cent safe.”
Plans to double the size of Scout Moor wind farm, already England’s biggest onshore farm, were scaled back last month after residents in Rossendale objections.
Scout Moor Wind Farm Expansion Ltd wanted to build another 26 turbines between Rawtenstall and Edenfield.
The firm is now proposing to add just 16 further turbines to the existing plot after its public consultation scheme ended.
Scout Moor became operational in 2008 and could produce enough electricity for the average annual needs of approximately 40,000 homes through its 25-year lifespan.
It was sold by Peel Energy to Wind Prospects in 2012, a Peel spokeswoman said.
Nordex UK was unavailable for comment yesterday after being contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph.
The owners of Scout Moor, MEAG, an asset management company based in Munich, was also unavailable for comment.
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