Wind turbine tower collapses during construction at Ayrshire wind farm
EIR-1134A 480-foot wind turbine at the Kilgallioch wind farm near Barrhill, Ayrshire, collapsed in the early hours of 13 January 2017 during a storm with 55mph gusts and snow squalls. The 160-tonne turbine, valued at around £2 million, had not yet been commissioned and was not generating electricity. According to a source cited by a local newspaper, the 328-foot tower creased at the access door near ground level before falling, scattering debris including three blades and switchgear over roughly half a kilometre. No one was in the vicinity at the time and no injuries were reported. The operator, ScottishPower Renewables, did not publicly disclose the incident for seven days, prompting criticism from the local community. A joint investigation was launched by the operator and the turbine manufacturer, Gamesa, and the incident was reported to statutory authorities.
High winds of around 55mph combined with snow squalls at the time of the collapse; the turbine had not yet been commissioned or connected to the grid, and the cause of the structural failure at the tower's access door was under investigation.
- Turbines that are structurally complete but not yet commissioned can still fail catastrophically and should be subject to ongoing safety monitoring during severe weather.
- Structural failures at access doors or other stress points in tower fabrication warrant thorough quality assurance and traceability of steel and welding processes.
- Prompt and transparent public communication after a significant equipment failure helps maintain community trust and industry credibility, even when no one is harmed.
Published 2026-09-20. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.