Rugby Wind Farm back in operation, investigation continues
The Rugby Wind Farm is back in operation after a thorough inspection of the site by Iberdrola Renewables, Portland, Oregon, following an incident that occurred on March 14.
The 71-turbine plant had been shut down while the site was being fully inspected after the rotor blades fell from one turbine, according to Jan Johnson, media specialist, Iberdrola Renewables.
“The Rugby Wind Farm is fully operational,” said Johnson on Thursday, March 24.
The rotor blades of one of the turbines fell to the ground on March 14, unexpectedly. The cause has not yet been determined. No one was killed or injured in the incident.
“The cause remains under investigation and we are not speculating,” said Johnson.
Included normal seasonal temperatures and the average wind speed in the afternoon on Monday, March 14 was 11.7 mph according to the NDAWN website.
In a telephone interview later in the day on Thursday, March 24, Jerry Lien, utility inspector, ND Public Service Commission, Bismarck, said owner Iberdrola Renewables and manufacturer Suzlon sent the bolts to a lab for further tests. He said that they told him they are looking at the fastening of the rotor where the hub is connected to the shaft. Six of the turbines are being examined more thoroughly and those bolts may be changed as well.
“The two companies take this incident very seriously,” said Lien.