Turbine fire sparks statewide wind farm “inspection blitz”

Victoria’s energy safety regulator is undertaking a wind turbine “inspection blitz” across the state, in the wake of a fire incident at the Bulgana Green Power Hub in late May.

Energy Safe Victoria says its enforcement officers are inspecting 160 turbines across 43 sites to assess the operation and maintenance of towers, nacelles, and safety-critical control systems. 

Depending on the severity and risk of the faults identified, officers can issue warnings, directions, or infringement notices, the notice says. The operation will also help Energy Safe to identify and target broader issues with compliance and risk mitigation.

“These inspections are focused on assessing the condition of turbines to understand and reduce the risk of future incidents as well as correcting any urgent on-site safety issues,” said Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson in a statement issued earlier this month.

Energy Safe says there are more than 1600 operational wind turbines in Victoria, which are inspected regularly as part of its broader renewable energy compliance program.

But the turbine “serious turbine blaze” at Bulgana has prompted a clamp-down on safety risks.

In that incident, a fire broke out in a wind turbine nacelle at the Bulgana Green Power Hub in Victoria’s Great Western region at around 9.30pm on May 29.

As Renew Economy reported at the time, the fire was attended by seven CFA units from Ararat, Stawell and Great Western fire brigades.

“CFA crews that attended did what they could to create safety zones and remained clear of the structure,” District 16 Commander Ben Townsend said. This included contacting the operator of the turbines to shut them down, he added.

“Crews left the scene in the hands of the owners to monitor and just after 3am they got called back because a blade had caught fire, dislodged and fell to the ground.”

The CFA said on Thursday that the scene was under control and the cause of the fire under investigation.

In February 2024, a wind turbine was destroyed at the 56.7MW Clements Gap wind farm in South Australia’s mid north, after catching fire.

Five crews attended the fire which the South Australia Country Fire Service said at the time took “some time” to burn out. Firefighters were also required to put out multiple spot fires caused by falling debris.

In a statement earlier this month, HMC Capital, which will take ownership of Bulgana at the start of August from Neoen Australia, said most of the 56 turbines were in operation after a detailed operational and safety review, with full output expected to be reached before the transfer of ownership.

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