Wind turbine head collapses at Mawson research station, Antarctica

Part of a wind turbine at Mawson research station in Antarctica, operated by the Australian Antarctic Division, collapsed overnight. The head of the turbine, an Enercon E30 unit measuring 30 metres in height, fell to the ground at approximately 9pm local station time. No one was injured, as all expeditioners were safely inside living quarters at the time. Wind conditions in the preceding days were described as moderate for the location, with gusts up to 40 knots. As a precaution, the station's second wind turbine, which had operated alongside the failed unit since 2003, was deactivated, and diesel generators were used to maintain power supply. The cause of the collapse was unknown at the time of reporting and was to be investigated. Enercon, the turbine manufacturer, was notified of the incident.

The cause of the collapse was unknown and under investigation at the time of reporting. Moderate wind gusts up to 40 knots were noted as the prevailing conditions, though described as within the normal range for the location.

1. Structural failures in wind turbines can occur even under moderate, non-extreme weather conditions and regular maintenance schedules should include thorough structural integrity assessments.
2. When one turbine of a matched pair fails unexpectedly, precautionary deactivation of similar units reduces risk of a repeat failure while the cause is investigated.
3. Prompt notification of the equipment manufacturer following a structural failure supports root cause investigation and may reveal issues relevant to other installations of the same model.

antarctica.gov.au/news/2017/antarctic-research-station-wind-turbine-collapse