Turbine catches fire at one of UK’s oldest offshore wind farms

Published by

A single 2MW wind turbine has been damaged in a fire at the Scroby Sands Wind Farm in the North Sea, one of the oldest offshore projects in the UK.

The turbine caught fire at around 10:50am on Tuesday, according to HM Coastguard, who also confirmed that “all personnel working at the site have been evacuated by the operating company and are accounted for.”

The 60MW Scroby Sands Wind Farm, commissioned nearly 20 years ago on a prehistoric sandbank in the North Sea, features 30 2MW turbines 2.5km off the coast of Great Yarmouth in eastern England.

The wind farm is owned by German wind energy company RWE Offshore Wind, who quickly issued a statement to the media:

“An incident occurred which led to a fire in the turbine nacelle – the enclosure at the top of the tower which houses the generating components,” said a spokesperson for RWE.

“Emergency services were contacted immediately and the Coastguard made aware. They are monitoring the area and advising on a potential 500 metre restriction zone being enforced around the affected turbine.

“We would ask people to keep away from the area as assessments are ongoing.”

Within around five hours, according to media reports, the turbine self-extinguished. RWE hope to have the rest of the wind farm back in operation some time today, Wednesday.

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

Joshua S Hill

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Bowen launches review of emission caps and credits for Australia’s biggest carbon polluters

Policy review will investigate settings for Australia's 2030 and 2035 emissions reduction targets.

7 August 2026

Energy Insiders Podcast: Will data centres make or break wind?

Kane Thornton has moved from the peak renewables body to data centres, now the presumed…

7 August 2026

Climate Active is dead. The funeral will not be certified carbon neutral

Australia's government-run "carbon neutral" certification scheme is being wound up. It is good news for…

7 August 2026

Australia’s first offshore wind auction is “going ahead as planned,” new energy minister confirms

Victoria's newly appointed energy minister says the state will go ahead as planned with Australia's…

7 August 2026

Labor’s data centre gas double-speak leaves the gate open for dodgy offsets

A promise of banning gas while waving through “gas firming” and “gas peaking” with unlimited offsets leaves…

7 August 2026

Massive wind project, with up to 280 of Australia’s biggest-ever turbines, seeks federal green tick

Plans for a potentially massive new wind farm start federal environmental assessment, proposing up to…

7 August 2026