Lubricant Oil Leak Identified as Cause... Tourists and Residents Express Concerns
Province Orders Immediate Action... Turbine Currently Shut Down
A wind turbine located in Samdal-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, within a wind power generation complex, has been left contaminated with a substance presumed to be lubricant oil, damaging the scenery and raising safety concerns. Photo by Park Changwon.
There are growing concerns that a wind turbine located within a wind power generation complex in Samdal-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, has been left contaminated with a substance presumed to be lubricant oil, damaging the scenery and raising safety concerns. The wind turbine in question is operated by a private company.
The problematic wind turbine is a 3-megawatt (MW) facility manufactured by Denmark-based Vestas. It stands 130 meters tall, with each blade measuring approximately 40 meters in length. When the turbine is in operation, the blade tips can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h, and as a result, the area is restricted to prevent public access.
However, clear traces of dried black contaminants can be seen on the blades and the front of the tower, leading tourists and local residents passing through the area to suspect that the turbine has been neglected for a long period of time.
A Jeju resident, identified as Mr. A, who frequently passes through the area, commented, "There have been black stains for quite some time. If it's oil, it could be an environmental issue, and if it's corrosion, it could pose a structural safety problem."
In response, a Jeju provincial official stated on June 3, "Lubricant oil leaked from the Russell mechanical device inside the turbine, flowing down to the blades and the lower part of the tower. We have requested prompt action from the operator, and the turbine is currently not in operation."
The official added, "We have requested an inspection from the manufacturer to determine the cause of the malfunction, and we will continue to monitor the situation until corrective measures are completed."
The official further explained, "A regular safety inspection by the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation is conducted every three years, and the province and private companies carry out joint inspections every year. We verify whether regular inspections are conducted according to the manufacturer's manual, and if safety requirements are not met, we take strong actions such as suspending turbine operation."
Meanwhile, Jeju Province is promoting the expansion of renewable energy, focusing on wind and solar power, as part of its 'Carbon-Free Island 2030' initiative. As a result, securing trust in the maintenance and management system for wind power facilities has emerged as an important issue.
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