Firetrace International’s recent report titled Wind power: Benefits of early installation of fire suppression systems highlights the growing fire safety challenges facing the wind energy sector.
With the industry expected to reach a value of $220.7 billion by 2028, public opposition to wind projects is increasing due to concerns about fire risk.
The report identifies three critical areas of concern for wind developers and owner-operators: public worry, regulatory scrutiny, and the misconception that delaying fire suppression installation will save money.
Communities near wind projects are increasingly opposing new developments due to fire safety concerns.
A study conducted by MIT found that between 2008 and 2021, 53 renewable energy projects were delayed or blocked, largely due to safety risks.
Recent examples of fire-related project delays in the U.S. and Canada highlight the growing public skepticism, which has been further fueled by the complexity of co-located projects involving battery storage.
In the U.S., co-located renewable projects grew by 90% in 2023, according to The American Clean Power Association.
This increase in complexity has brought additional fire risks, attracting further public scrutiny.
Countries with large wind markets, including the U.S., France, South Korea, and Australia, have introduced stricter fire safety regulations.
Germany has already enforced these standards for over a decade.
This increase in regulatory oversight comes as global funding, such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the UK’s Great British Energy initiative, continues to support the growth of renewable energy.
Regulatory bodies are also imposing fines on developers who fail to address fire safety concerns at the outset, which may lead to delays, cancellations, or reputational damage for those not in compliance with fire safety mandates.
Some wind developers and operators consider fire suppression systems an avoidable expense.
However, delaying their installation can lead to significant costs if a fire occurs.
According to industry data, the cost of installation downtime ranges from $220,000 to $329,000 per wind farm, and potential losses per turbine could reach up to $11 million in the event of a fire incident.
Brian Cashion, Director of Engineering at Firetrace International, stated: “Wind developers and owner-operators should install fire suppression systems from the outset, particularly in co-located projects, to win local support and avoid potential delays or cancellations.
“Yet, many wrongly assume that investing in fire suppression systems can wait or will be covered by other parties later in the project’s development.”
Cashion added that early adoption of fire suppression systems has already provided substantial benefits to those who have taken this step, with the hope that more in the industry will follow suit to improve fire safety standards.
As highlighted in the Wind power: Benefits of early installation of fire suppression systems report by Firetrace International, the wind energy sector is facing increased scrutiny over fire safety.
Public opposition and regulatory pressures are mounting, especially as renewable energy projects, including co-located ones, increase.
Despite some developers viewing fire suppression systems as unnecessary, experts argue that early installation is essential to avoid costly delays and potential fire-related incidents.
These challenges highlight the need for wind operators to prioritize fire safety from the outset to protect assets and maintain public trust.
