The owner of the wind farm, Enefit Green, said the turbine’s 151m tower bent and its nacelle fell to the ground but that nobody had been inside or in the vicinity when the incident happened.
However, the developer has disconnected the affected turbine and halted the remaining turbines as a precaution while the investigation takes place. A cordon has also been established around the broken turbine.
The company said: “The causes of the incident are being investigated by the turbine supplier, General Electric, together with Enefit Green and constructor Merko. This is a thorough analysis of the turbine and all the factors that might have contributed to the incident. Data from all other turbines are being checked. “
Construction of the Akmene wind farm began in February last year and it began producing energy earlier this year.
According to Windpower Intelligence, the research and data division of Windpower Monthly, the Akmene wind farm consists of ten GE 5.3-158 turbines and four of the company’s 5.5-158 model. The estimated cost of the wind farm is €85m and it is due to be fully online next year.
A GE spokesperson said: “On May 2, a turbine collapse was reported at Enefit Green management’s Akmene wind farm in Lithuania. There were no injuries. We are working with the wind farm owner to determine the root cause of this event”.
