A 40-meter-long blade has tragically fallen from a turbine in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, killing an elderly man. Metal fatigue and regular maintenance and inspection are the issues.
Turbine Blade Breaks in Akita
One Dead
Police received a call at around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 2, reporting that a turbine blade had exploded in a park in Akita City. The deceased, 81-year-old Takashi Shishido, was found lying on the ground near the broken blade at Araya Seaside Park in the city’s Araya district.
Emergency services were notified at around 10:20 a.m. and Shishido was taken to a nearby hospital with a head injury.. He was pronounced dead about an hour later. Authorities are currently investigating whether the falling blade was a direct cause of his death.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had issued a severe wind warning that morning. The highest instantaneous wind speed was recorded at 7:52 a.m., with forecasts predicting that strong winds will continue in northeastern Japan until the evening.
Turbine Breakdown, Maintenance and inspections are concern
According to Akita’s Clean Energy Industry Promotion Division, the turbine involved in the incident was installed by a Tokyo-based company, Sakura Furiyoku. The turbine is located in a city-run park along the Sea of Japan that features walking paths and rest pavilions. Following the incident, police restricted access to the park via the road.
This is not the first incident in the region. In December 2010, one of the three blades of a turbine at the same location fell off, although no injuries were reported. A wind energy expert in Akita suggested that the blade failure could have been caused by metal fatigue and highlighted the importance of regular maintenance and inspection. ” and If inspections had been carried out the case, this could have been prevented. but If public concern increases, it could have a negative impact on the wind energy industry,” the expert warned.
Sakura Furiyoku Japan is a Tokyo-based company specializing in wind energy development and operation. The company is headquartered in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Detailed information about Sakura Furiyoku’s extensive operations is limited to the public, and the tragic incident has raised concerns about maintenance practices and safety protocols at its wind power facilities.
The Trump administration has abruptly halted an offshore wind project already under construction off the coast of New York, which it has labeled “illegal,” with the Norwegian energy company Equinor behind the development. Equinor’s leadership is frustrated and concerned about what it sees as an unprecedented disruption to a fully approved project under Trump Offshore Wind Ban Decision.
On April 16, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a stay on Equinor, citing “serious flaws” in the project’s environmental review process and claiming that the approval was “rushed.”
“serious flaws” in the project’s environmental review process and claiming that the approval was “rushed.”
The $4.5 billion offshore wind power in the united states, Empire Wind, was expected to provide clean energy to millions of New York homes.
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The sudden political shift has rattled industry
The announcement has shocked both investors and clean energy analysts, even though it has long been clear that former President Donald Trump opposes offshore wind – having previously criticized it during his first term – and industry insiders have assumed that federal permits issued would be honored under the existing legal framework.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Photo Credit: The Atlantic
“There were some political risks to the industry, but shutting down a project in the middle of construction – especially after years of permitting – is really disruptive,” said one analyst. Several other offshore wind projects along the US East Coast are now being reviewed for potential risks, creating widespread uncertainty in the renewables sector.
Equinor: ‘Stop-work orders are illegal’
Two weeks after the stop-work order, Equinor said it had yet to receive a detailed explanation from the US Department of State.
“Our position is clear: the stop-work orders are illegal,” said Equinor CFO Torgrim Reitan. “We had all the necessary permits in place by last year. Construction, including port development and seabed preparation at the turbine site, had already begun.”
Our position is clear: the stop-work orders are illegal, — Torgrim Reitan
According to Reitan, more than 30% of the project is already complete. The company has invested more than $2.5 billion in the project — $1.5 billion empire wind equinor of which was financed through debt — and expects strong returns over the next decade.
“It’s now a question of the sanctity of the deal,” Reitan added. “We invested in good faith and we are seriously considering our legal options.”
Questionable U.S. stability on ?
The suspension raises larger questions about political risk in the U.S. renewable energy market—questions typically related to countries experiencing political instability or regulatory chaos.
An analyst asked on the earnings call whether Equinor could face additional exposure to U.S. political risk. The company responded that it is confident in the broader U.S. energy market and is treating the situation as an isolated challenge involving “an asset and an investment.”
Still, the implications are significant. If federal authorities were to revoke permits through retroactive action without a clear reason, global energy companies could reconsider long-term commitments to U.S.-based projects.
Legal action under consideration
Equinor has not yet filed a lawsuit but said legal action is “under active consideration.” The Department of State has not publicly responded to Equinor’s complaint or media outlets’ requests for clarification.
Legal experts have noted that revoking existing federal permits midstream could face strong court challenges, especially given the scale of the investment and public interest involved in offshore wind development.
Financial Impact on Trump Offshore Wind Ban Decision
Equinor shares fell about 1% in midday trading after the earnings call. The shutdown of the Empire Wind project is not the only challenge facing the company. Equinor also reported weaker-than-expected financial results due to low oil prices and soft trading returns under the Trump Offshore Wind Ban Decision.
Earnings per share came in at 66 cents, below the 83 cents forecast by analysts.
Despite the headwinds, some in the financial community are optimistic that the project will resume. “Basically, we expect that the US administration will allow work on the project to resume soon, to avoid litigation,” wrote Citi analyst Alastair Syme.
A pivotal moment for US offshore wind
The fate of Equinor’s Empire Wind project could have far-reaching consequences—not just for the company but for the entire offshore wind power in the united states. This case is now being closely watched by both developers, investors and policymakers, as it could set a precedent for how future renewable energy projects will be treated under a changing political backdrop.
Significance of the policy
Equinor Slams Trump-Era Wind Project Halt as ‘Unlawful’ for empire wind equinor
Project stoped Mid-Construction: Empire Wind, over 30% complete, abruptly stopped by U.S. Interior Department.
Legal Dispute Looms: Equinor cites all permits were secured and calls the halt illegal; legal action under review.
Having $2.5 billion at risk: Major investments already made—$1.5 billion in debt, $1 billion in equity.
Investor confidence falters as industry worries; U.S. regultory stability questioned.
Response U.S. government: No detailed explanation from State Department.
Market Analysis: Equinor shares fall; analysts predict project could be scrapped to avoid lawsuits.
Luxcara awarded two major contracts for foundation design for Waterkant and Waterecke wind farms in the North Sea
German clean energy asset manager Luxcara has awarded Hamburg-based engineering firm Blank – Ordemann (JBO)offshore wind foundation design contracts for two major projects in the German sector of the North Sea with a combined capacity of approximately 1.8 GW.
The contracts cover the Waterkant and Waterecke offshore wind farms, with a planned capacity of 296 MW and 1.5 GW, respectively.
JBO will act as foundation designer for both projects. At Waterkant, the company will handle front-end engineering design (FEED) and detailed design. For Waterecke, JBO will also act as a geotechnical expert in addition to the foundation design role at the FEED and detailed stages, the firm announced via social media. These projects mark an important step in JBO’s ongoing commitment to the energy transition, the company noted.
Offshore Wind Project Details
Waterkant Wind Farm
Located on site N-6.7, about 90 kilometers from the island of Borkum, Waterkant is expected to start operations in 2028. Once operational, it will supply electricity to around 400,000 households.
Waterecke Wind Farm
Located on site N-9.3, about 85 kilometers northwest of Heligoland, Waterecke is scheduled for grid connection by 2029, according to Luxkara’s previous update.
About Jörs – Blank – Ordmann GmbH (JBO)
Jörs – Blank – Ordmann GmbH (JBO) is a German engineering firm with a world-class engineering design and a renowned offshore wind design firm with a tradition spanning over 60 years. Known for its expertise in structural engineering since its inception, JBO offers a comprehensive range of services in the design, evaluation and supervision of buildings, civil infrastructure, offshore structures, property development and structural systems.
They started their journey offshore wind energy in 2014, under the leadership of Dr. Lueddeck. Currently, JBO employed more than 70 engineers and specialists, providing end-to-end solutions from conceptual design and engineering to construction and structural supervision. Although the smallest department within JBO, the Offshore Wind Department benefits from a team with extensive experience in the sector. And all team members fantastically in this department have at least five years of hands-on experience in offshore wind engineering.
In a holistic approach, JBO integrates structural design and load simulation to provide a holistic, interdisciplinary design approach. This enables the development of cost-efficient and weight-optimized support structures designed to meet the highest standards of performance, safety and durability in the offshore environment.
