LVEA Meeting in Klaipėda: Strengthening Safety in the Wind Energy Sector
A meeting organized by the Lithuanian Wind Power Association (LVEA) Health & Safety Working Group took place in Klaipėda, aimed at enhancing both theoretical and practical safety knowledge, as well as ensuring proper firefighter preparedness for emergency situations in wind farms.
The event was held at the BOTC training center, where participants had the opportunity to experience realistic training conditions and get acquainted with specialized equipment used in rescue and firefighting operations. The meeting brought together firefighters, wind power maintenance and service companies GE Vernova and Enercon, as well as LVEA members – all of whom actively engaged in discussions on safety challenges and the need for preparedness in the growing wind energy sector.
“During the discussions, we explored how to standardize rescue procedures in wind farms, ensure consistent preparedness across the country, and define the concrete actions that LVEA’s Health & Safety Group should take to support the safe and sustainable development of the entire industry. There was also a discussion about the safe road transportation of components and wind turbines,” said Edgaras Maladauskas, LVEA representative.
According to him, this meeting marks an important step toward a shared goal: establishing the highest safety standards in wind power and preparing qualified professionals who are ready to respond swiftly and effectively when their help is most needed.
The content and focus of the meeting were coordinated by Ignitis Renewables, the current lead of the LVEA Health & Safety Working Group. Thanks to their guidance, significant attention was given to knowledge sharing and real-life case studies – from the actions required during a wind turbine fire to the use of specialized RESQ equipment designed for rescue operations in such environments.
“We discussed not only the readiness of firefighters but also the specific tools and skills needed when working in wind energy infrastructure. We also addressed the differences between Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training and standard firefighter preparation, as well as the distinct equipment used by wind technicians compared to emergency responders,” noted Duncan Barker, Chief Technology Officer at Ignitis Renewables.
After the presentations and hands-on sessions, participants broke into smaller groups to discuss the most pressing issues facing the sector—from safety priorities to recommendations that could be submitted to national authorities.
Highlights from the meeting are available in the photo gallery.
