Bill Wasson, president of Confederation Power Inc., said the turbines in Lingan were damaged Tuesday when the lightning hit a substation near where the turbines are located.

The substation is also where the power generated by the wind turbines is fed onto Nova Scotia Power's electrical grid.

"It didn't hit the turbines," Mr. Wasson said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "Lightning happens and it's dangerous."

The company is trying to source the replacement part either in North America or Europe.

"Right now we can't produce electricity. Nova Scotia Power can't receive electricity and we can't deliver," he said.

The turbines, which produce electricity for 200 to 300 homes, may be back in operation today, he added.

On any given day there are various facilities throughout the province running at different capacities, said NSP spokeswoman Jennifer Parker.

She said the utility will take the wind-generated electricity as soon as the facilities are operating again.

The turbines are operated by Glace Bay Wind Power Ltd., a subsidiary of Confederation Power.

Last year Confederation Power of Toronto purchased the wind farm from Cape Breton Power Ltd., owned by Luciona Lisi.

The wind farm has a 20-year contract to supply power to NSP.