Concerns remain over Newbliss windfarm

PEOPLE living and working in the vicinity of the Drumlins Park Windfarm near Newbliss, Co Monaghan, say they are “living in a literal danger zone” after the blade of one of the wind turbines broke earlier this year.

And one resident The Anglo-Celt spoke to said the silence from Energia over their concerns is “deafening”.

On April 25 last, a blade on one of the eight turbines at Drumlins Park broke off and shards of debris up to 10 metres long were thrown from the turbine and into the land surrounding it.

“To have a catastrophic structural failure on a normal day proves that we are living within a literal danger zone. We are terrified that a similar event could happen again at any moment without any prior notice,” a statement from a resident, who does not want to be named, reads.

The local person said people are farming and living in close proximity to the turbines and “our daily work, livelihoods and children’s safety depends on being outdoors in these fields”.

Newbliss-based councillor Richard Truell (FG) raised the issue at the May and June meetings of the Clones-Ballybay Municipal District. He requested the council invite the operators of the windfarm, Energia, to discuss the situation with local representatives.

Describing Energia’s response to an invitation to meet with councillors as “a bit wishy-washy”, Cllr Truell said: “Their team should come here and discuss it with us. It’s a very serious situation, part of a wind turbine coming off.”

Councillor Truell also said it was “amazing” that no one was injured when the blade broke because just the day before, he took part in a walking treasure hunt through the lands around the farm.

MODEL UPGRADE

Residents who have conducted their own research into the specific make and model of turbines installed in Newbliss have found five blade failures with the same type of turbine globally in recent years.

“We also understand that these blades have had to be redesigned at least twice by GE [Vernova, manufacturer] to address serious design or manufacturing flaws.”

Locals are also aggrieved by the lack of direct engagement by the company.

“Will the damaged turbines be removed? Will new blades be installed? And if they are, will Energia be using the newer, redesigned blades or are they going to put the exact same older, high-risk models back up?” one local person asked in their statement to the Celt.

When this was put to Energia, the company responded by saying “after the precautionary shutdown of the site in late April, the seven unaffected turbines safely resumed operations in May after comprehensive safety inspections were carried out on site”.

With regard to the turbine with the broken blade Energia said: “The damaged turbine blade has been safely removed by GE Vernova, the turbine manufacturer, following a carefully planned operation carried out under strict safety procedures.

“Health and safety are our absolute priority, and safety measures remain in place while further work is carried out,” the company said.

“Detailed testing will now take place to determine the extent of any repairs needed, and a full restoration plan will be completed before the turbine is returned to operation.”

Energia has also provided updates on the repair and replacement of the affected blade on its website.

According to their last post this month the energy company said: “Turbine components will now be subject to comprehensive inspection and testing to determine the full scope of remedial works required. A full reinstatement plan will be developed before the turbine is returned to service.”

COMMUNITY

Describing the incident last April as a “freak accident”, Cllr Richard Truell says he is now “confident” Energia has taken all necessary safety precautions. “You’d want to be seriously unlucky for it to happen again,” he told the Celt.

“I’m not making light of it,” he said. “But I’m taking Energia’s word for it that they’ve all safety measures in place for the removal and replacement of the blade. Plenty of safety audits have been done.

“I think it was just very, very unlucky and I’m very confident it won’t happen again and if it does, I’ll eat my hat.”

The local councillor also pointed to a number of community groups in the locality that benefitted from €133,642 in funding from this year’s Energia Drumlins Park Community Fund.

Among those who successfully applied for funding is Drum Development Company who got €226,000 for their community garden and play area, Saint Enda’s NS which received €20,000 towards a sensory room.

Drum Presbyterian Church, Druminan Orange Hall, Newbliss Parish Church, Scotshouse Festivals Committee and two other local schools all received funding.

However, some residents and landowners still don’t feel their concerns have been addressed.

“For us, it is a matter of life and death. We deserve transparent answers, direct engagement, and a guarantee that our safety isn’t being compromised for their output,” the resident’s statement said.