Accident at wind farm Storkow – Germany

Freitag, 2. Oktober 2015

Accident at wind farm Storkow – Germany

           Accident at wind farm Storkow – Germany

•   Serious accident at ENERTRAG’s wind farm in Storkow, Germany

•   Prohibition on use of service lifts fitted with named Tractel Greifzug GmbH products

•   Some safety alerts prohibit use of specific brands including Avanti

•   Avanti has not serviced Storkow wind farm.

  We have been informed about a serious accident at ENERTRAG’s wind farm in Storkow, Germany. Currently, we have no information about the cause of the accident.

  ENERTRAG has stated that the company has issued an internal prohibition on the use of service lifts fitted with TIRAK M wire rope hoists and/or Blocstop fall arrest devices manufactured by Tractel Greifzug GmbH.

  Subsequently, some wind turbine manufacturers have issued safety alerts prohibiting use of specific service lift brands including Avanti.

  We have approached German authorities, ENERTRAG, and Tractel to obtain further information about the accident and any potential involvement of Avanti service lifts in the accident. At this point, we have had no response.

  According to our information, the Storkow wind farm was installed in 2003. Turbines could be equipped with Avanti service lift model “Lift 2000” fitted with the Tractel products mentioned above.

  We have not installed, serviced or maintained service lifts at the wind farm at Storkow. There is currently no evidence indicating that Avanti service lifts are unsafe if they are properly installed, serviced, maintained and operated by trained technicians in accordance with our manuals.

  We are working to obtain additional information from German authorities, ENERTRAG, and Tractel, and we are keeping our customers updated.

  As soon as we receive information on the cause of the accident we will inform about necessary measures to be taken. Sincerely,

  Erik Laursen, CEO
  Avanti Wind Systems A/S +45 4824 9024 

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