Wind farms: CFA reviews turbine safety

By Brendan Gullifer
Updated November 2 2012 - 3:55pm, first published March 17 2011 - 1:28pm
SAFETY: wind turbines are under review
SAFETY: wind turbines are under review

THE Country Fire Authority is undertaking a review of the fire danger of wind farms.In a submission to the Senate inquiry, CFA chief officer Euan Ferguson says most turbine fires occur in the nacelle at the top of the tower and the resulting falling debris could be carried by strong winds.Mr Ferguson said wind farm technology was initially designed for northern hemisphere climates.The CFA would "like to explore whether the design tolerances with regards to the automatic shutdown of the turbine are appropriate for the Australian climatic condition," he wrote.Mr Ferguson says the CFA is investigating additional construction-stage restrictions including on-site smoking restrictions and various vehicle prohibitions, as well as turbine siting in relation to wildfire overlays .

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