background image

A turbine blade fell off in Norway: does the wind industry have a quality problem?

author image

By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Financial Times or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A recent incident at Odal Wind Park in Norway, where a turbine blade detached, underscores broader quality concerns in the wind industry
•  Rapid growth and the scaling up of turbine sizes have led to increased warranty claims and technical issues, challenging manufacturers

🔭 The context: The industry has seen warranty provisions climb as manufacturers like Siemens Gamesa face losses from defective turbines
• The drive to rapidly deploy larger and more powerful turbines to meet climate targets has inadvertently led to quality and reliability issues

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Turbine failures not only impact the reliability and financial health of renewable energy projects but also slow down the transition to cleaner energy sources
• Addressing these quality issues is crucial for maintaining confidence in wind technology as a key component of sustainable infrastructure

⏭️ What's next: The industry is attempting to address these challenges by slowing down new model introductions and focusing on standardization and quality improvements
• However, continued competition and supply chain strains remain significant hurdles

💬 One quote: "There is no option here; they need to sort it out," said Endri Lico, supply chain expert at Wood Mackenzie

📈 One stat: Warranty provisions accounted for an average of 5.4% of revenues for major turbine manufacturers in 2023, up from 2.8% in 2018.

Click for more news covering the latest on energy 

 

Did you enjoy this illuminem voice? Support us by sharing this article!
author photo

About the author

illuminem's editorial team - providing you with concise summaries of the most important sustainability news of the day.

Follow us on Linkedin, Twitter​ & Instagram

Other illuminem Voices


Related Posts


You cannot miss it!

Weekly. Free. Your Top 10 Sustainability & Energy Posts.

You can unsubscribe at any time (read our privacy policy)