Windfarms in England hit by wave of copper cabling thefts | Energy industry

Copper thieves say the UK’s black wind floor, and security experts say that organized gangs can be behind Crumawave.

At least 12 great windbreaks in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, Essex, Humberside, Northamponshire, Northamponshire and Lincolnshire have been sacrificed for cables in the last three months.

According to the Security Company Derttech Crime Intelligence, it can typically less than five opportunistic events per year, and the last madness proposes an organized group to target the sector.

“The current accusation situation is extraordinary and does not resemble anything I have seen, Ric “We usually expect to receive about four reports a year. It is also noteworthy that these reports are typically isolated, but in 2025, all large wind circles have operated more than one turbine.”

In one example, the towers of three turbines in a single wind circle were broken, which underlines the organized nature of Crisp’s scale and robbers.

Windfarm developers, the labor government last year after banning such proposals in the UK, preparing to invest in new projects increased theft. The government hopes to double the number of black winds by the end of the decade to help create an almost carbon -free electrical system by 2030.

A source close to the affected wind circle owners – not explained to the public – thieves opened the doors at the base of the wind turbine towers used for maintenance work.

The criminals appeared with the fact that the turbines were active in the event of theft, making them think that they were highly confidence and familiar with the infrastructure.

Windfarm developments often do not have to expect criminals to perform theft of the night bed of the night bed in remote rural areas.

“Copper is a valuable source. So if you can steal something to get a good price, there will be people willing to do it,” he said. “The award calculation against risk will be much more attractive than to play copper from a wind circle, to deal with drugs.

The national infrastructure, which aims to combat metal offenses from other infrastructure, including industry, railway and telephone lines, is working with the partnership of the crime reduction.

Although many wind bags are protected by high fences, locked doors and deep trenches excavated to prevent vehicles from accessing the site, some of them are easily accessible by thieves.

The owners were asked to increase security measures and follow their CCTVs for any criminal signs. According to Ötertech, in most of the theft cases, suspected vehicles had previously carried out “hostile discovery”.

Renewableuk Policy President James Robottom said that the trade group is aware of the recent events and that “in the future is working with the police to identify ways to secure ways more effectively”.

“This organized guilt not only affects the functioning of important energy infrastructure, but also puts the lives of our workers and those who perform these thefts, Rob said Robottom.