Wind Turbine Catches on Fire, Breaks Apart in Victoria

This is the latest incident with the installation and operation of wind turbines in Australia.

An aerial view of of wind turbines in Port Augusta, South Australia on Feb. 25, 2025. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Victoria is grappling with another wind turbine incident, this time at the Bulgana Green Energy Hub, where a fire has destroyed the “nacelle” of a turbine.

The nacelle is located at the centre of a turbine behind the hub and contains all the components for generating electricity.

Locals report a turbine blade had fallen and was burning on the ground for a significant period.

“It’s quite cool at the moment, but in other conditions, a massive bushfire risk. I hear the locals aren’t impressed,” wrote energy researcher Aidan Morrison, who shared images of the blaze on X.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) confirmed it was investigating the matter.

“Energy Safe Victoria is investigating a fire at the Bulgana Green Power Hub that has destroyed the nacelle of a wind turbine. Our investigators and engineers are at the scene,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“At this stage the cause of the fire is still unknown.”

Previous Incidents Under Probe

The Bulgana incident follows a February fire at the Berrybank Wind Farm.

On Feb. 4 , Energy Safe Victoria was informed of the incident and a team of investigators and technical experts was sent to the site. While no injuries were reported the agency claims the investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and whether any breaches of energy safety laws occurred.

Meanwhile, the parent company Vestas confirmed to The Epoch Times the cause could have been lightning strikes in the region.

In recent months, energy safety laws in Victoria have been strengthened, granting ESV new powers to hold renewable energy operators accountable.

Over the past year, a specialist renewable energy team has been formed to audit and inspect facilities across the state.

Fatal Accident at Golden Plains Site

Meanwhile, serious safety concerns emerged at the Golden Plains Wind Farm, west of Melbourne, in November 2024.

A subcontractor was crushed by a blade while preparing it for installation at the Rokewood site around 8 a.m., according to police.

Emergency services responded but he was declared dead at the scene.

WorkSafe Victoria also investigated the incident. Preliminary findings suggest the worker was handling a 79-metre-long blade stored horizontally in a bracket made of two linked parts. When the upper clamp was removed by a crane, one pin remained, causing the structure and blade to topple.

While recently in Queensland, a wind turbine tower became stuck under a bridge while being transported on the Warrego Highway, causing significant damage to the overpass.

A supplied image obtained on May 17, 2025, of a truck carrying a wind turbine tower stuck under the Mount Crosby Bridge overpass while travelling on the Warrego Highway, Queensland in Australia. AAP Image/Supplied by Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland

Legal Duties And Penalties

Wind farms are classified as complex electrical installations if they exceed 1000 kVA in generation capacity.

Under Victoria’s Electricity Safety Act 1998, owners and operators of wind farms—categorised as complex electrical installations—have a duty to minimise risks to people, property, and bushfire hazards.

Breaches can attract penalties of up to $355,662 for individuals and $1.77 million for corporations.