Alinta Windfarm returned to service after collapsed turbine minus four turbines requiring additional analysis

After a wind turbine collapsed on Walkaway farmland more than three months ago, the company says individual inspections have resulted in four turbines requiring additional analysis before being returned to service.

Iberdrola Australia carried out inspections to individual turbines at Alinta Windfarm after Turbine 43 collapsed on June 8. The Walkaway wind farm off Nangetty-Walkaway Road has operated since 2006, and the generation of power remained on pause after the turbine fell due to unknown circumstances.

So far, 49 of the 53 standing turbines have been re-energised, while the remaining four were subject to additional inspections before they can be powered.

An Iberdrola spokesperson said the company had been “progressively inspecting” each individual turbine internally and externally, and the four turbines were yet to pass inspections.

Iberdrola did not confirm the cause of the fallen turbine, nor did they disclose why four turbines could not be returned to service.

In June, Iberdrola CEO Ross Rolfe said the learnings from the investigation would be shared with industry to promote safe operations at Australian wind farms.

“We are currently working closely with regulatory bodies and the operations and maintenance contractor, Vestas, to understand the factors that have contributed to the failure of the turbine,” he said.