Wind Power News: Accidents
See also: Wind Turbine Accident data (worldwide) at Scotland Against Spin
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Gas leak at Scotland’s ‘largest’ wind farm led to evacuation of workers
The ‘world’s most potent’ greenhouse gas leaked during work at Seagreen offshore wind farm in the North Sea and forced workers to leave the project, it has emerged. It has been reported that in June, sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) escaped and nearly 80 workers on a platform at the project had to move to another platform. Experts say the SF6, widely used as an electrical insulation, is the most potent greenhouse gas. Seagreen is a joint venture between SSE and TotalEnergies. . . . Complete story »
Zülpich: Flügel von Windrad abgerissen
[A wind turbine was severely damaged in Zülpich on Tuesday night. One blade is completely broken off, a second one only partially attached. Pieces of debris flew several hundred meters. In Zülpich ist in der Nacht auf Dienstag ein Windrad stark beschädigt worden. Ein Flügel ist komplett abgebrochen, ein zweiter hängt nur noch in Teilen an der Kanzel. Wie das passieren konnte, ist noch unklar. Einzelne Trümmerteile flogen mehrere Hundert Meter weit. Der Bereich um das zerstörte Windrad ist weiträumig . . . Complete story »
Schon wieder: Rotorblatt von Windrad abgebrochen
In Baden-Württemberg ist das Rotorblatt eines Windrades abgebrochen. Die Windkraftanlage wurde abgeschaltet. Die Sicherung werde vermutlich aufwendig. Wie der Südwestrundfunk (SWR) berichtet, ist an einer Windkraft-Anlage in Seckach im Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis in Baden-Württemberg eines der Rotorblätter abgebrochen. Fachleute sollen den Schaden nun begutachten und das weitere Vorgehen planen. Anfang des Jahres war im Münsterland ähnliches passiert. Dort stürzte ein Rotorblatt krachend zu Boden, wie agrarheute berichtete. 50 Meter langes Rotorblatt abgeknickt: Windkraftanlage abgeschaltet Zwischen Seckach-Großeicholzheim und Buchen-Waldhausen stehen zwei Windräder aus . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine catches fire in Williamsburg early Monday morning
A wind turbine caught fire early Monday morning in Williamsburg, leading to a field fire as well. The Williamsburg Fire Department says they were sent to the 1700 block of 230th Street around 12:40 am Monday. When crews arrived on the scene they saw the head of the turbine fully engulfed in flames. WFD says this type of fire is “unique and challenging, as there are many factors to consider including falling debris on fire and the turbine blades and . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine wrapped in flames in lightning storm as huge smoke plume fills sky
Thick smoke was billowing in the sky after a wind turbine caught fire due to the raging thunderstorm and lightning battering Ireland today. The turbine, located in a windfarm approximately 10km off the coast of Arklow in the Irish Sea, is understood to have been struck by lightning at around 12pm. No one was injured in the fire. GE Renewable Energy, the operator, confirmed the incident and stated that the root cause of the incident will be determined once weather . . . Complete story »
Tintreach, toirneach agus tuilte tuartha anocht
Tá tuirbín gaoithe trí thine amach ó chósta an Inbhir Mhóir i gCo Chill Mhantáin tar éis do lasair thintrí é a bhualadh go gairid roimh 1 a chlog tráthnóna. [A wind turbine is on fire off the coast of Inbhir Mhóir [Invermore] in Co. Chill Mhantáin [Wicklow] after lightning struck it a little before 1:00 pm.] De réir gnáis, ligfear don dóiteán dul as uaidh féin agus ní fhéachfaidh na seirbhísí éigeandála lena mhúchadh. Deirtear go gcuideoidh an bháisteach . . . Complete story »
Turbine struck by lightning as thunderstorm warning in effect
A wind turbine off the coast of Arklow in Co Wicklow was struck by lightning this afternoon and was on fire. Meanwhile, a Status Orange thunderstorm warning is in effect for four counties until 11pm tonight. Met Éireann said there would be thunderstorms in place with frequent lightning across Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford, with localised flooding possible. A separate Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for Ireland remains in place until 1am on Thursday morning. The turbine fire was expected to be . . . Complete story »
Blow for Viking as problems found with underground cables
The Viking Energy windfarm project has been dealt a setback, after it emerged that some of its underground cables will potentially have to be replaced. The 33kV underground cables were supplied by French-based company Nexans – with 800km of cables to be provided. Nexans confirmed to The Shetland Times that “anomalies” had been detected with some of the cables, and that installation had been suspended. The cables only began being laid in August last year. The French-based company said that . . . Complete story »
Wind farm company fined over €200,000 following death of employee in Sligo landslide Patrick McCaffrey and his wife, Helen.
A civil engineering firm involved in the construction of a wind farm in County Sligo where a landslide occurred resulting in the death of a 37 year old employee has been fined €220,000 plus costs of €31,000 at Sligo Circuit Court. The defendants, Denis Moriarity The Kerries Ltd of Tralee, County Kerry, had pleaded guilty to two charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 relating to an accident at Derrysallagh Wind Farm, Glen, County Sligo, on . . . Complete story »
Windrad brennt an der Müritz
[A wind turbine south of Röbel caught fire on Friday evening. At this height, the fire brigade has no chance: Now it can only burn.] In dieser Höhe hat die Feuerwehr keine Chance: Ein Windrad südlich von Röbel ist am Freitagabend in Flammen geraten. Jetzt kann es nur noch abbrennen. In einem Windpark zwischen den Ortschaften Jaebetz und Freyenstein nahe der Landesgrenze zwischen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und Brandenburg in der Müritz-Region ist am Freitagabend ein Windrad in Brand geraten. Das Feuer in . . . Complete story »
