(Photo: PARF)
June 3, 2021
GE CATCON has confirmed a controlled explosion was used to demolish a faulty turbine tower at the Coopers Gap wind farm last week.
“A controlled demolition was the option that offered the best chance of success and minimised both the safety risk and disruption to the community,” a company spokesperson said.
southburnett.com.au reported last November that one of the 123 turbines at the wind farm would have to be removed and replaced after faults were discovered during the commissioning process.
The faults were located during routine inspections and testing by GE CATCON prior to the official handover to the Powering Australian Renewables Fund (PARF).
The faulty turbine was taken out of service while the rest of the wind farm remained operational.
An exclusion zone was erected around the tower at the time to ensure safety on site.
An AGL spokesperson told southburnett.com.au the turbine was “successfully deconstructed” last Thursday by a team from GE CATCON.
“The deconstruction had no impact on the generation of Coopers Gap wind farm,” the spokesperson said.
The turbine which has been demolished will be replaced with a new unit.
During the commissioning process last year, a fault was also identified with generators inside the nacelles of about 50 of the towers.
These towers are generating power but GE has concerns about their long-term operational life.
These components will be gradually replaced.
GE CATCON was appointed by PARF in 2018 to construct the 123 wind turbines at Coopers Gap.
PARF is a joint funding venture between AGL and several partners.
- Related article: Faults To Be Fixed At Wind Farm
