Emergency Management
Is the Project going to cause a fire risk or hinder the ability to fight fires?
Under normal operating circumstances, it’s extremely unlikely that a wind farm can cause or adversely affect a bushfire. The turbines are constructed on cleared hardstanding areas. Each turbine and building on the Project site will have an Asset Protection Zone established around it and vegetation in these areas will be maintained during the operation of the Project. Water tanks will be installed as part of the construction of the Project, in consultation with the Country Fire Service (CFS) and remain throughout operation of the wind farm. Wind farms are also highly unlikely to start a bushfire by attracting lightning. Should a wind turbine be struck by lightning, built-in control systems divert the voltage safely underground.The Project is required to develop bushfire response procedure with the CFS. Aerial firefighting can be undertaken around wind turbines if appropriate strategies, emergency management systems and communications protocols are in place. RES will implement a project-specific bushfire management plan (BMP) developed in consultation with the CFS. The BMP may include response strategies such as shutting down and positioning turbine blades to facilitate aerial access.
Wind farms can assist firefighting efforts. The roads and safe-turn-around points provided by wind farm infrastructure can enable local firefighters to safely access areas that were otherwise inaccessible, providing firebreak, fuel reduction burn and safe evacuation opportunities.
In 2013, during a grass fire at a South Australian wind farm, ignited by lightning, the access roads built for the wind farm proved beneficial for firefighters. These access tracks, initially installed for wind farm construction and maintenance, served as a natural firebreak, enhanced onsite accessibility and enabled effective back burning. This unexpected advantage positively impacted response times and the local fire brigade’s ability to combat fires on the wind farm or neighbouring properties.