Yunlin County wind turbine fire prompts inspections

Taipei, June 3 (CNA) Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Wednesday that the government will inspect all wind turbines that have been in operation for more than 15 years nationwide and enhance high-altitude firefighting capabilities.

Cho made the remarks following a fire at a Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) wind turbine in Yunlin County on Sunday.

According to the state-run utility, the fire that engulfed the 70-meter-high turbine in Mailiao Township is suspected to have been caused by overheated components, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

The stricken turbine began commercial operations in 2010 and had been in service for nearly 16 years, Cho said, adding that the fire had prompted the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to launch a nationwide review of wind turbines that have been in operation for more than 15 years.

The premier said the incident underscored the need to strengthen Taiwan's high-altitude firefighting capabilities to support the sustainable development of the renewable energy sector and reassure communities living near wind turbines.

Separately, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lai Chien-hsin (賴建信) told the Legislative Yuan's Economics Committee on Wednesday that Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) had already ordered a sweeping review of aging wind turbines in the wake of the incident.

Taipower has been instructed to complete inspections of 76 turbines of the same type within one month, while the Energy Administration has been given three months to propose improvements to maintenance, management and operational requirements based on the findings, Lai said.