Nick Griffin MEP warns over wind turbine fires
OCTOBER 2010: NICK Griffin has pledged to raise the issue of 'self-combusting' wind turbines at his Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee, after being contacted by environmentalists concerned at the increasing number of incidents.
The MEP was canvassed after a campaigning website published numerous graphic illustrations of burning wind turbines.
"These burning wind factory photos certainly bring home the dangerous and unpredictable nature of these huge turbines," Nick told his website this morning.
"I shall certainly be highlighting the issue in my campaign material as these monstrosities are spreading across my North West of England constituency at a rate of knots.
"I shall be raising the issue at Environmental Committee, which is sadly dominated by windpower enthusiasts, in the hope that some question marks at least may be raised as to the suitability of wind turbines as a reliable source of energy.
"There have been over 150 of such wind turbine fires which are caused by a failure in transmission. To date no gear oil has been invented to withstand the pressures produced within these units," he said.
One spectacular wind turbine fire occurred in a 200ft structure at the Wind Factory by the Nissan car plant on Wearside (right).
The fire was so fierce that all three 75-ft long fibreglass blades dropped off and thick black smoke could be seen for miles around.
Almost 200 people dialled 999 to alert emergency crews as flames engulfed the turbine.
Police closed both the A1231 and the A19 for an hour-and-a-quarter amid worries that parts of the metal tower could fall on to the busy roads.
