Report that fires in wind turbines are ten times more common than supposed

17.7.2014

Question for written answer E-005851-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Olaf Stuger (NI)

1. Is the Commission aware of the report ‘Wind turbine fires “ten times more common than thought”, experts warn’[1]? If so, does the Commission — unlike the ‘sustainable’ industry — keep statistics on the number of dangerous incidents, such as fires, which can occur in broken wind turbines in the EU? If so, could the Commission share them with the public? If not, why not?

2. The article indicates that, if a wind turbine catches fire, it is almost impossible to save it, which in practice means that a wind turbine valued at approx. EUR 2 million can be written off. What consequences does this have for European environmental and energy policy and wind energy subsidies?

• [1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/10971762/Wind-turbine-fires-ten-times-more-common-than-thought-experts-warn.html