· 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.
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