2013/01/31 35m wind turbine collapse from high winds in UK

Strong winds of up to 215km/hr caused the collapse of a wind turbine in Devon, UK. Experts are investigating the source of the collapse, but believe the intense winds may have caused the blades to spin out of control, provoking a failure of the tower at its base.

The 291.000€ turbine had an estimated 25 year design life, but failed in its third year of operation. The collapse follows the failure of three other similar sized turbines in January, and a 91m tower in North Ayrshire in December during gust winds of 265km/hr.