TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A fire broke out Sunday on one of Taipower’s wind turbines in Yunlin County’s Mailiao Township, with firefighters unable to extinguish the blaze because of the turbine’s height.
The turbine, which stands 45 meters tall, exceeded the reach of firefighting equipment, forcing firefighters to remain on standby and monitor the situation from the ground. The fire erupted around noon at Taipower’s No. 17 wind turbine. Strong winds and summerlike temperatures caused the flames to intensify rapidly, per UDN.
The blaze originated in the turbine’s nacelle, the enclosed structure behind the rotor blades that houses the motor and gearbox. Burning fiberglass debris fell from the turbine while thick smoke billowed into the air.
Trees surrounding the turbine raised concerns that the fire could spread to nearby forested areas. Firefighters deployed water lines to extinguish burning debris that fell into the trees and prevent the fire from spreading on the ground.
Taipower’s Yunlin District Business Office reported the incident to company headquarters in Taipei, which launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Personnel were also dispatched to inspect the affected turbine, while related electrical equipment and nearby units were shut down as a precaution.
Taipower operates 23 turbines at the Mailiao Wind Farm. Each turbine costs more than NT$70 million (US$2.3 million), according to the company. The turbines began commercial operations in 2008 and generate about 124 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, per UDN.
Past malfunctions at the wind farm over the past two decades have primarily involved blade damage and oil leaks. Authorities said it remains unclear whether the fire was caused by an oil leak related to the turbine’s age, overheated components, or hot weather. Further inspections are ongoing.
The damaged turbine is located within the Sansheng Protected Forest area in Mailiao. The Nantou Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said compensation would be sought according to the law if the incident caused damage to forest land.
A local villager said previous incidents involving oil leaks and detached blades had already prompted residents to urge Taipower to strengthen safety inspections and improve disaster response measures.
While residents do not oppose renewable energy development, the villager said protecting the surrounding forest ecosystem remains important and that the incident has heightened concerns about potential safety risks.
