Damage at a wind turbine near Halkirk, Alberta on Nov. 8, 2024. (Contributed)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

no injuries

Investigation into incident at wind turbine in east-central Alberta

Nov 8, 2024 | 5:04 PM

An investigation is underway after parts fell off a wind turbine early Friday morning near Halkirk, Alberta.

Michael Sheehan, a senior advisor with Capital Power, confirms that at 7:22 a.m. on Nov. 8, an incident occurred at the company’s soon-to-be operational Halkirk 2 (H2) wind facility in Paintearth County.

At this time, the cause remains part of what the company is trying to determine.

“The nacelle and rotor at one of the turbines (T33) fell from the tower. There are no injuries or damage to public property,” he assures.

“In response, a full site-wide safety stand-down has been implemented with the remainder of the H2 turbines not operating, and the site has been secured. As a precautionary measure, the area around each tower is being secured and an investigation is underway.”

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A nacelle is a housing for components of the the turbine, including the generator and brake assembly, among other things.

Sheehan adds, this is the first time this has happened with one of its turbines.

H2 is the second wind facility the Edmonton-based company has near Halkirk, which is about 120 km east of Red Deer, and just 27 minutes past Stettler.

H2 is under construction and expected to be operational in late 2024.

According to Capital Power’s website, the H2 project will use Vesta’s V150-4-5 wind turbine technology. Its hubs are 105 metres high, with a 150 metre rotor diameter and 74 metre blade length.

Damage at a wind turbine near Halkirk, Alberta on Nov. 8, 2024. (Contributed)