This letter by the Norwegian Water and Energy Directorate (NVE) was sent to the operator of the Haram wind power plant regarding ice throw risks. The letter was prompted, in part, after a complaint was filed. The turbines have been in operation for one winter. The NVE is seeking information on whether the measures to reduce the risk of ice throw at the facility are in line with the assessments and assumptions that were used as a basis for the project’s approval. The letter is provided below in English. The original document in Norwegian can be accessed at the document links on this page.
This letter by the Norwegian Water and Energy Directorate (NVE) was sent to the operator of the Haram wind power plant regarding ice throw risks. The letter was prompted, in part, after a complaint was filed. The turbines have been in operation for one winter. The NVE is seeking information on whether the measures to reduce the risk of ice throw at the facility are in line with the assessments and assumptions that were used as a basis for the project’s approval. The letter is provided below in English. The original document in Norwegian can be accessed at the document links on this page.
HARAM KRAFT AS
Kalnesveien 5
1712 GRÅLUM
September 21, 2022
Reference: Haram wind power plant - NVE requests documentation related to ice throw
The Norwegian Water and Energy Directorate (NVE) refers to our approval of the detailed plan and environmental, transport and construction plan (MTA) for Haram wind power plant of 30/08/2019 and subsequent decision.
With this, NVE wants to carry out a check on requirements related to ice throw at the Haram wind power plant.
Background and purpose
The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that NVE's requirements relating to ice throw are complied with.
Ice throw from the Haram wind power plant is regulated according to permits granted under the Energy Act, and in our approval of the detailed plan and environmental, transport and facilities (MTA) plan for Haram wind power plant of 30.08.2019[1], approval of amended detailed plan and MTA of 18.09.2020[4] and subsequent decision.
In the ice throw report from Kjeller Vindteknikk (KVT) of 09.08.2019[2] which was the basis for the approval of MTA[1], it is written that the risk is high when traveling on internal roads, and that the danger is greatest for, among other things, pedestrians close to the turbines and along the internal roads.
It also states that known risk-reducing measures should be used. In their application for the amended MTA and detailed plan of 06.05.2020[3], it is repeated that there is the greatest danger for project service personnel and any pedestrians close to the turbines and along the internal roads. In our decision of 18.09.2020[4] on the approval of the amended MTA and detailed plan, NVE assumes that an assessment of the need for further measures beyond danger signs is carried out, and that the project owner can provide documentation of this on request. As a consequence of this NVE asks that Haram Kraft provide documentation regarding an assessment of need for further measures beyond danger signs.
In the reports prepared by KVT from 09.08.2019[2] and 07.05.2021[5] it is written that the risk on Haramsfjellveien is tolerable, but that signs should be put up that are of such a nature that the use of the road is reduced in periods with a risk of ice throw. KVT also writes that a sign that only warnings about the general risk of ice throw are not sufficient. The report also recommends experience acquisition program. Based on the documentation NVE has, it looks like you have a sign that only warns of the general risk of ice throw. Furthermore, we refer to Haram Kraft's letter of 17.03.2022[6] with feedback to the report of concern about ice throw. There it appears among other facts that Norconsult's report states that "traffic on roads that pass close to turbines should be avoided during periods of icing”. NVE understands that Haram Kraft's measures for ensuring this is through general signs which state that “In cold weather, lumps of ice may fall or be thrown from the turbines". KVT also recommends in its report that updated information on the danger of icing can be found on the website of the wind power plant.
From what NVE can see, only general information about ice throw appears on the website of the wind power plant. There is no information which is linked to the conditions in the Haram wind farm specifically. As a result, NVE asks about an assessment of how the design of the sign and website is intended to work in order to reduce the use of the road during relevant periods. The assessment must also contain an evaluation of whether the sign and the website are working as intended.
In the approval of the MTA and detailed plan of 30 August 2019[1], NVE writes that an assessment of further measures must be made continuously by the project owner as experience is gained of actual ice throw. The OED agreed with this in its appeal decision. NVE therefore requests that Haram Kraft carry out such an assessment of which measures are relevant, based on current use of the area for different groups. We refer in particular to points 3.2.2 and 3.2.4 i NVE's supervisor (https://publikasjoner.nve.no/veileder/2018/veileder2018_05.pdf).
NVE has received a report of concern regarding the risk of ice throw at the Haram wind power plant, see Appendix 1 for details. With the background that the wind power plant has been in operation through a winter so that there is experience with actual conditions at Haramsøya, we believe there is a need to verify that the measures to reduce the risk of ice throw at the Haram wind power plant are in line with the assessments and assumptions used as a basis for the approval of the detailed plan and MTA and subsequent decisions.
NVE asks for documentation
For verification that the wind power plant is operated in accordance with the permits granted, NVE requests the following documentation related to the topic of ice throwing:
- Documentation that Haram Kraft has carried out an assessment of the need for additional measures beyond danger signs.
- An assessment of the design of the sign that has been set up and the website thought to work to reduce the use of the road in the relevant periods, and an evaluation of whether the sign and the website are working as intended.
- An assessment of the need for additional measures based on the current use of the wind power plant.
Follow-up of received documentation
NVE will review the documentation received, and will come up with a written response to the project owner where NVE's assessment is stated. Submitted documentation, and any findings, can be followed up with further document control. Deviations will be followed up in line with NVE's procedure for reactive use.
Deadline
We ask that the requested documentation be sent by e-mail to NVE (nve@nve.no) by 05.10.2022.
If you have questions or need further information, contact the case manager at NVE,
Vebjørn Schiager, vesc@nve.no.
With regards
Webjørn Schiager
Divisional engineer
Approved by
Approved by Anne Johanne Kråkenes
Section manager
Approved in accordance with NVE's internal procedures.
[1] NVE reference 201901315-90
[2] NVE reference 201901315-88
[3] NVE reference 201901315-171
[4] NVE reference 201901315-340
[5] NVE reference 201901315-653
[6] NVE reference 201901315-767
