Off with the blades: Pioneering community-owned wind farm has first major component repair

One of the two wind turbines at Australia’s first community-owned wind farm has recently undergone a major component repair.

Hepburn Energy, the trading name of Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative, announced on its social media channels this week that Gale, one of two turbines operating near Daylesford, Victoria, underwent “her” first major component pair over the past week.

Hepburn Energy, a co-operative with over 2,000 members, owns and operates the two wind turbines – Gale and her “brother” Gusto – which boast a combined maximum capacity of 4.1 megawatts (MW) and can produce 11,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy each year.

The two turbines have been operating since 2011 and produce electricity equivalent to the needs of 2,100 homes.

Hepburn Energy revealed on Sunday that Gale had undergone a major component repair over the previous week, with the rotor and blades being carefully lifted to the ground for two days so that the main bearing and high-speed shaft bearing could be repaired.

“This was the first time we have seen the top of the turbine come off since construction,” Hepburn Energy said on social media.

“A huge thank you to Vestas our O&M for the fast turnaround from diagnosis to repair.”

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