Wind farm fears as blade snaps

By Katrina Tweedie

A TURBINE at a Scottish wind farm has broken down after one of its blades snapped off.

The 10-tonne turbine, one of 31 at the £80 million Crystal Rig wind farm near Dunbar, East Lothian, was destroyed last week when a mechanism to stop it spinning too fast failed. Onlookers reported strong winds and said one of the turbine blades flew off and hurtled into the countryside.

The 60ft high steel turbines are designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and owners, Fred Olsen Renewables, denied the breakdown was wind related. A spokesman said they were investigating the cause and that there had been little risk to people at the remote wind farm.

The turbines from German firm Nordex were installed in August 2004. It will cost an estimated £1.25 million to repair.

Anti-wind farm campaigners said the incident confirmed their fears about the danger of blades flying off wind turbines.

David Bruce, of the pressure group Scottish Wind Assessment Project, said: “There were high winds so the turbines were ‘feathered’, or locked so they couldn’t spin round. It was lucky nobody was walking below. This is only about the second incidence of this in the UK but it shows this is possible.”

]]> Britain The Times April 16, 2005 Wind farm fears as blade snaps By Katrina Tweedie A TURBINE at a Scottish wind farm has broken down after one of its blades snapped off. The 10-tonne turbine, one of 31 at the £80 million Crystal Rig wind farm near Dunbar, East Lothian, was destroyed last week when a mechanism to stop it spinning too fast failed. Onlookers reported strong winds and said one of the turbine blades flew off and hurtled into the countryside. The 60ft high steel turbines are designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and owners, Fred Olsen Renewables, denied the breakdown was wind related. A spokesman said they were investigating the cause and that there had been little risk to people at the remote wind farm. The turbines from German firm Nordex were installed in August 2004. It will cost an estimated £1.25 million to repair. Anti-wind farm campaigners said the incident confirmed their fears about the danger of blades flying off wind turbines. David Bruce, of the pressure group Scottish Wind Assessment Project, said: “There were high winds so the turbines were ‘feathered’, or locked so they couldn’t spin round. It was lucky nobody was walking below. This is only about the second incidence of this in the UK but it shows this is possible.” http://www.windaction.org/articles/327 http://www.windaction.org/articles/38312 Wed, 08 May 2013 02:25:36 GMT Walkers had a narrow escape as blades on a wind turbine ripped off in high winds across common moor land. Walkers and local residents were stunned at what could have been a nasty accident and fear for further blade breakages. http://www.windaction.org/articles/38312 http://www.windaction.org/articles/38091 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:03:52 GMT A 90ft turbine in Aberdeenshire has fallen after being battered by 70mph gales. "It's worrying because there are so many turbines in this area. If someone had been walking by when this came down it could have been very serious." http://www.windaction.org/articles/38091 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37506 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 04:31:36 GMT "While there was no malfunction or abnormality with the turbine or tower, there was a problem with the structural grout and the manner in which the tower was fixed to the foundation that affected the durability of the anchor rods resulting in the tower collapse." http://www.windaction.org/articles/37506 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37423 Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:16:25 GMT The manufacturer of a wind turbine which collapsed in north Cornwall has written to other owners over concerns about the turbine towers' construction. Scottish firm Gaia-Wind has identified a potential problem ...It has written to the owners of 15 of the same turbines to help "in checking their foundation fixing systems for reassurance". http://www.windaction.org/articles/37423 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37311 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:00:53 GMT The Canadian manufacturer of a large wind turbine which toppled during gales has denied the device was faulty, following an internal investigation. But the collapse in Devon last week has prompted a fresh probe by the firm into the safety of 20 identical models, including some at sites in the Westcountry. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37311 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37294 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:09:45 GMT Local resident Sheila Lawes said people in the area are concerned about the dangers if a turbine gets damaged. Another turbine was about to be erected at nearby Piper's Pool and a fresh investigation has now been launched after a second tower was said to have been toppled during high winds in North Cornwall. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37294 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37244 Sat, 02 Feb 2013 23:59:14 GMT Manufacturer Dulas said it did not suspect sabotage but a full investigation is underway. Bradworthy Parish Council chairman Margaret Coles said: "We know the bolts are gone but don't know what caused it." ..."I don't know how someone would sabotage them because the bolts were under the concrete. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37244 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37225 Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:01:11 GMT Safety concerns have been raised over wind turbines and a fresh investigation has now been launched after a second tower was said to have been toppled during high winds in Cornwall. ...In the House of Commons yesterday, Energy Secretary Ed Davey warned wind farm operators to make sure their equipment is safe. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37225 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37210 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:36:57 GMT Margaret Coles, Chairwoman of Bradworthy District Council, said hail storms and strong winds have hit the area and the turbine, installed just three years ago, simply could not withstand the wind. "The bolts on the base could not withstand the wind and as we are a very windy part of the country they [the energy company] have egg on their face," she said. "There are concerns about safety." http://www.windaction.org/articles/37210 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37182 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:11:43 GMT Blades from an 18m high wind turbine have snapped off after a night of heavy rain and winds. The turbine in a field near Bishop Auckland was built last year after planning permission was granted in November, 2011. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37182 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37181 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:10:02 GMT The turbine at East Ash Farm is currently lying flat on the ground after falling over in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting local speculation it was caused by Saturday night’s high winds. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37181 http://www.windaction.org/articles/35798 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:13:09 GMT Wobbly wind turbines will be shored up next month in a project bosses described as "an interesting engineering challenge". Engineers discovered earlier this year that grout connections on the foundations of turbines at the Kentish Flats wind farm, off the coast of Whitstable and Herne Bay, had shifted slightly, meaning a piece of the turbine had also moved. http://www.windaction.org/articles/35798 http://www.windaction.org/articles/35170 Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:08:27 GMT One of England's largest onshore wind farms is out of action because of a faulty part. Owner Electricity Supply Board (ESB) said the 22 turbines at Fullabrook Down near Ilfracombe, Devon could be off for weeks. http://www.windaction.org/articles/35170 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34243 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:23:17 GMT Kirklees Council yesterday suspended planning applications for a type of windmill manufactured by Brighouse firm Evoco Energy. The move came after high winds ripped blades from the company's turbines in Hepworth and Upper Cumberworth earlier this month. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34243 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34196 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:59:23 GMT "Weather-dependent" work is underway to replace a section of the cable ...With the weather being with us we would hope to complete it in February, but there is no guarantee with offshore work." The export cable was installed by now-bankrupt cable-laying company Subocean. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34196