'We deserve an explanation'
Energia representatives have been invited to attend a meeting of Ballybay-Clones Municipal District following the failure of a wind turbine blade at Drumlins Park Wind Farm.
The issue was raised during correspondence at the June meeting of the Municipal District, with councillors calling for answers after a blade on one of the wind farm’s eight turbines broke apart on April 22, scattering debris across surrounding farmland.
The damaged turbine is located between Newbliss, Drum and Scotshouse. When the blade failed, it shattered into fragments, some measuring up to 10 metres in length.
Fine Gael councillor Richard Truell, who first raised the matter at the May meeting, said local residents remain deeply concerned about the incident and its implications for public safety.
Response
Describing Energia’s response to date as “a bit wishy-washy”, Cllr Truell said: “There is genuine concern about this turbine and what’s going to happen in the future.”
Referring to correspondence received, he added: “Their team should come here and discuss it with us. It’s a very serious situation, part of a wind turbine coming off.”
Cathaoirleach Seamus Coyle asked whether anyone had been injured when the blade broke apart. Cllr Truell confirmed that nobody was hurt but stressed it could have been a different story a day earlier.
“No, but there was a walking treasure hunt the day before, I took part in it myself,” he said. “It’s amazing that no neighbours or farmers were injured or sustained damage to property. I think we deserve an explanation.”
Supporting the call for Energia to attend a meeting, Cllr Coyle said: “The community went through a fair bit while the wind farm was under construction. This shouldn’t have happened. If this happened the day of the treasure hunt, there could have been a fatality.”
Sinn Féin councillor Pat Treanor added that Energia should be updating the MD on matters affecting the local community.
However, he cautioned against speculation. “It was my understanding that the blade was storm damaged during a weather event. It’s worth getting our facts right,” he said.
The latest update on the Energia website, states that an action plan has been developed for the safe removal of the damaged turbine blade. Remediation works are expected to take “several weeks”.
The company said that health and safety remains their “absolute priority” and an exclusion zone will remain in place around the affected turbine.
“The removal of the impacted blade will assist us in our investigations into the cause of the damage,” they state.
“We are engaging with the affected landowners and relevant authorities and will continue to post updates here on our website.”