Nova Scotia

Cape Breton wind turbine snaps in half

There was a severe wind warning Tuesday night, but it's unclear if that had anything to do with the break. Nova Scotia Power said it is still trying to determine the root cause.

Nova Scotia Power and wind turbine maker Vestas trying to determine cause

Nova Scotia Power is investigating why one of its wind turbines snapped in half Tuesday night in Grand Étang, Cape Breton.

There was a severe wind warning Tuesday night, but it's unclear if that had anything to do with the break. The power utility said it is still trying to determine the root cause.

CBC meteorologist Kalin Mitchell said peak wind gusts of 164 km/h were reported at the Grand Étang weather station between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. this morning.

Nova Scotia Power said no one was at the site at the time and no one was injured.

The 50-metre tall wind turbine was made by Denmark-based Vestas.

It was built in 2002 and was one of the first in Nova Scotia with a single 660-kilowatt Vestas turbine. 

Nova Scotia Power said the model is the only one of its kind in the province.

With files from Audrey Roy