Offshore Turbine Catches Fire

Arklow Bank WEDS19OCT22

ith stormy weather causing havoc across Wicklow today, in Arklow, a lightning strike has set fire to an offshore wind turbine.

Smoke is currently billowing from one of seven machines situated off the Wicklow coast.

Local reports say that the fire started at noon, with the thunderstorms moving north towards Dublin this afternoon believed to be the cause.

Pic: Amy M Kinsella

GE Renewable Energy’s 25MW Arklow Bank is Ireland’s only offshore wind farm, and has been online since 2014.

SSE Renewables is planning an 800MW Arklow Bank 2 array in the coming years.

In the meantime, heavy rainfall is expected to continue until midnight tonight.