James Evans MS has called for assurances that proposed wind farms in Brecon and Radnorshire are safe to operate following a turbine accident in Scotland.

On Friday, the blades of a 77-metre-high turbine at Aviva’s Pitheavlis site in Perth fell from the tower in the early hours of the morning. The turbine, operational for less than a year, was taken down for investigation after Aviva cited an “engineering fault” as the cause. No injuries were reported.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that it attended the site shortly after 2am and ensured the area was safe.

In Wales, there is no nationally prescribed minimum separation distance between wind turbines and residential properties. Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN 8), issued in 2002, recommends a minimum distance of 500 metres. At the time, turbines were just over 100 metres high, whereas current proposals include turbines of 200-250 metres.

Mr Evans, who has opposed various wind farm plans in his constituency, said the guidance must be urgently updated. The Brecon and Radnorshire MS called for a minimum separation distance of 4,000 metres based on modern turbine heights.

“This incident in Scotland is deeply concerning,” he said. “If a brand-new turbine can lose its blades due to an engineering fault, then communities in Brecon & Radnorshire should have real, independent assurance that every wind turbine meets the highest safety standards. Developers should be required to show their blades are tested, maintained and safe, and regulators must be able to inspect and enforce. Residents deserve to know that incidents like the one in Perth won’t happen close to home.”

Mr Evans also raised broader concerns about the impact of wind farms.

“I am against the wind turbine proposals in our area as I believe they will overwhelm our landscape, damage pristine countryside and ecosystems, harm our tourism sector, putting jobs and livelihoods at stake. I am concerned about the noise effects of these turbines and the damage this will have on residences nearby,” he said.

“I will continue to oppose this industrialisation of Mid Wales.”

Aviva said its turbine will be dismantled to allow a full investigation and restore it to safe operation.