Rescue Drill at 159 Meters in Sopi-Tootsi Wind Farm

A rescue training drill is taking place this week at the Sopi-Tootsi Wind Farm in Northern Pärnumaa, focusing on the evacuation of individuals from a wind turbine nacelle. This is the third large-scale exercise of its kind in Estonia, but the first to be held in the country’s tallest wind turbines—the nacelles of the Sopi-Tootsi turbines are located at a height of 159 meters.

The drill is jointly organized by Enefit Green, the Estonian Rescue Board, and the Estonian Wind Power Association. Participating rescue teams include units from Keila, Vändra, and Pärnu-Jaagupi, including specialists trained in rope rescue. According to the scenario, the closest rescue team responds first, and based on the specific characteristics of the site, a specialized unit from another region is called in with the necessary equipment.

Innar Kaasik, Member of the Management Board of Enefit Green, emphasizes the importance of such training as more wind farms are established:

“Each new wind turbine means more clean energy, but also greater responsibility. Although accidents are rare, when they do happen, good preparation, cooperation, and clear action plans are crucial. We are glad to make our wind farms available for rescue training—previous drills have taken place at Aseri and Paldiski wind farms, and now at Sopi-Tootsi. Our role is to ensure that rescuers have the necessary information and access to act quickly and safely.”

Roland Jefremov, advisor at the Estonian Rescue Board's Rescue Operations Bureau, notes that the exceptional height of the turbines makes this drill especially unique:

“Rope rescue teams typically operate up to 50 meters high—this stems from their location near Estonia’s limestone cliffs, where such scenarios are most common. Over the years, they’ve also taken part in complex rescue operations at industrial facilities and tall chimney stacks. To prepare for such challenges, it’s vital to familiarize with various types of turbines and gain hands-on experience in realistic conditions.”

Jefremov added that rescuers are aware of the specific characteristics of different wind turbines and understand the complexity of conducting rescue operations:

“This drill helps us understand the limits of our capabilities. In these types of incidents, it is extremely important to maintain strong communication with our partners.”

According to Terje Talve, CEO of the Estonian Wind Power Association, ensuring the safety of people working in turbines is a shared responsibility of the entire sector:

“Because a wind turbine is a very specific work environment, we’re truly grateful to the Rescue Board for preparing to act even in such complex conditions. Of course, we hope that real accidents never happen—but we are always ready. Everyone working in a wind farm must complete the international GWO safety training, and the certification must be renewed every two years. Safety is a top priority inside turbines, but it’s a very different environment from ground level—at high altitudes and in confined spaces, rescuers must know precisely how to evacuate a person safely and quickly. According to international statistics, the most likely incidents involve unexpected medical emergencies—such as fainting or heart issues—which is why systematic readiness is crucial.”

Sopi-Tootsi Wind Farm began producing electricity in 2024. It consists of 38 turbines with a total capacity of 255 megawatts. The nacelles are located at 159 meters, making both maintenance and rescue operations particularly demanding from a technical standpoint.

Enefit Green is one of the leading renewable energy producers in the Baltic Sea region and the largest wind energy producer in the Baltics. The company operates wind farms in Estonia, Lithuania, and Finland; solar farms in Estonia, Latvia, and Poland; as well as cogeneration and hydro power plants in Estonia.

Author of photos: Eiko Kink