On May 2nd, a General Electric (GE) turbine collapsed at the 75MW Akmene wind farm in Lithuania, which is under construction by Enefit Green. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The tower of the malfunctioned wind turbine was bent, and the nacelle fell to the ground. Emergency response teams from the fire department and police assessed the situation at the site, and a safety perimeter was established around the affected turbine to reduce any risks.
Enefit Green is taking safety at operating wind farms and construction sites with the highest priority. Donatas Celesius, Enefit Green's Lithuanian country manager, stated, “The reasons behind the incident are under investigation. We are cooperating with all the authorities looking into the matter. Also, Enefit Green is conducting an internal review with the turbine supplier to identify any possible risks or factors that could be taken into consideration and prevent such accidents in the future.”
GE also released a statement, saying, “We are working with the wind farm owner to determine the root cause of this event.” The wind farm, consisting of 14 GE wind turbines, is one of three Enefit Green's wind farms under construction in Lithuania. It is expected to produce an estimated 258 gigawatt-hours of green electricity annually. The construction of the Akmene wind farm started in February 2022, and partial electricity production began this year.
This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of prioritizing safety in the renewable energy sector. As the world moves toward greater reliance on green energy, it is critical that we ensure the safety of those working in the industry and the communities surrounding these projects.
As Celesius emphasized, “Enefit Green's top priority is to ensure the safety of its employees, partners, and contractors, as well as the environment and local communities. We will do everything we can to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.”
It is essential that all parties involved in renewable energy projects prioritize safety and take steps to prevent accidents. As the industry continues to grow and expand, it is crucial that safety measures keep pace.
