Natural Resources Wales has confirmed that a large part of Brechfa Forest in Carmarthenshire has been been closed off after the incident
Pictures have revealed the damage caused to a 475ft tall wind turbine at a Welsh forest which lost of one its giant blades.
A large part of Brechfa Forest in Carmarthenshire has been closed off for safety reasons after one of three blades became detached from a turbine in a picturesque area used by walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers. The incident is believed to have happened last week at the wind farm north of the village of Brechfa, around 15 miles north-east of Carmarthen.
There are 28 wind turbines at the site in total, each one with a tip height of 145 metres and a rotor diameter of more than 92 metres. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here.
Brechfa Forest in its entirety covers around 6,500 hectares of land and is managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Officers have been at the site and signs have been erected advising people that rights of access have been excluded for a week for the purpose of “avoiding danger to the public”.
However, NRW has said the closure of the forest will remain in place “until it is confirmed that the area can be safely reopened”.
Images taken at the forest show one of the giant turbines with only two blades. It is unclear how one of the blades became detached and when or if it is able to be reattached.
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A spokeswoman for NRW said: “We have temporarily closed access to parts of the forest around Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm as a safety precaution while the operator, RWE, investigates the cause of a blade detachment at one of the turbines.
“The closure covers the area shown on the published map and restricts public access to the affected section of land.
“Ensuring appropriate measures are in place to keep visitors safe is NRW’s priority, and the closure will remain in place until it is confirmed that the area can be safely reopened.
“NRW is in close communication with RWE as they continue their investigation into this matter. Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.”