A GE 1.85 MW turbine with an 87-meter rotor partially collapsed last week at the Buffalo Dunes wind farm, located near Garden City, Kan.
The wind farm is substantially owned by Enel Green Power North America (EGP-NA), which owns 75% of the project. Stamford, Conn.-based GE Energy Financial Services owns the remaining 25%.
According to an EGP-NA spokesperson, no injuries were reported nor did the falling wind turbine further impact any property. It is unclear if weather was the culprit in causing the turbine's collapse.
‘In the morning of Monday, Dec. 15, the wind turbine #D12 at the Buffalo Dunes wind farm failed and partially collapsed,’ according to an EGP-NA statement. ‘The situation was quickly contained, and no injuries resulted. In keeping with our established guidelines, we are working to ensure safety at the affected turbine and determine the cause.’
‘At this time, there is no threat to residents around the project, but we ask that all keep a safe distance from the affected turbine so that our safety personnel may conduct assessments and take any required actions as safely and quickly as possible.’
Broomfield, Colo.-based RES Americas served as the general contractor on the project and oversaw construction. Lenexa, Kan.-based TradeWind Energy developed the project before selling it to EGP-NA.
When reached for comment, TradeWind, RES and GE all deferred all queries to EGP-NA.
Buffalo Dunes – the largest wind project completed in the U.S. in 2013 – has been operational since December 2013. For more on the project, click here.
Photo courtesy of KWCH
