Blade falls off wind turbine - you can predict the reaction

Part of a popular forest has been closed as a safety precaution while the wind turbine operator investigates. Meanwhile, opinions have been cast

A wind turbine minus a blade(Image: Gary Jones)

People are unhappy to hear that a large section of the popular Brechfa Forest in Carmarthenshire, Wales, has been closed to visitors after a wind turbine lost a blade. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirmed that part of the 6,500-hectare forest, popular with walkers, horse riders, and mountain bikers, would remain closed for at least a week as a safety precaution.

NRW said the closure was necessary while the turbine operator, RWE, investigated why the blade detached. Some signage indicates a possible re-opening on Friday, March 6, but access will only resume once the area is confirmed safe.

Images online show one turbine clearly missing a blade, though the cause is still unclear. A notice in the forest states the closure will run from 12:01am on Friday, February 27, to 11:59pm on Friday, March 6, to “avoid danger to the public.” Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

The NRW website notes that walking trails in Brechfa Forest are closed, and the Raven, Derwen, and Gorlech mountain biking trails have been diverted. Public rights of way remain accessible.

But locals have expressed concern about restricted access and cancelled events during the closure.

Commenter Upthetump grumbled: “Fast forward 20 years when the countryside is riddled with worn out turbines and broken solar panels.” Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter

Jeffwales68 said: “How often were we told these were a safe form of energy? And who has actually seen their electricity bill fall because of them? Can anyone point to a street or area that has directly benefited?

"What we do see is damaged landscapes, disrupted habitats, and high costs to taxpayers to operate and manage them, with land fenced off and guarded. Now we are told they may not even be structurally safe, for reasons still unclear. Thankfully no-one was hurt this time. It certainly raises questions about who really benefits, because it does not feel like ordinary people do.”

Commonsensei retorted: “Energy bills will not fall while supply remains at the mercy of energy companies. Where turbines or solar panels are directly linked to the buildings they power, bills and reliance are clearly lower.

"The alternative to turbines is what exactly, a large gas or oil plant that scars the landscape, destroys habitats, costs even more public money, and sits behind walls and security over a far bigger site.

"It would pollute the air, depend on finite fuels that cause further environmental damage to extract, and carry the risk of catastrophic failure. When decommissioned, such sites can sit derelict for decades while land is decontaminated. But yes, a single blade failure is apparently reason enough to abandon modern energy altogether and head back to the nineteenth century.”

BlueBuoy thought: “Not surprised about the complaints from the anti-clean energy brigade, a blade broke off, nobody hurt, shocking, to think we never had anything like this in the fossil fuel industry, no infrastructure breakdowns, no injuries, no deaths.”

Chonkywonk replied: “These are unsafe, lack any public warnings, and contribute to the disruption of natural wildlife.”

Mark A agreed: “The huge cost, short lifespan, and dangerous nature of these ‘things’ are a serious blot on the landscape and a huge con. At least the wildlife will be safer tonight.

BlueBuoy asked: “So fossil fuels don’t destroy natural wildlife?”

Fae S complained: “I've witnessed it all in my neighbourhood: snapping, falling off, exploding, and spontaneous combustion. They are a complete waste of time and money and will never offset their carbon footprint.”

Darren L agreed: “The hidden cost of the rush to Net Zero is often ignored. Wind power is not the only option, there are more efficient, less disruptive alternatives. Local solar, building-integrated renewables, tidal, geothermal, and energy storage can cut emissions without the environmental, financial, and social costs of large-scale wind projects. The Net Zero debate should consider all these options, not just one.”

A turbine blade falling in a public forest shows how dangerous they can be. Should these turbines be kept away from areas people use? - Have your say in our comments section.

© Wales Online