By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Like birds poised for flight, the blades of many wind turbines at Diamond Vista Wind Farm in northern Marion County have not been turning for a while.

A transformer malfunction shut down eight of the farm’s 12 circuits on Oct. 6. Four circuits at the west end of the wind farm are still functioning.

Technicians from the company that manufactured the transformer were called to check it out and at first thought it would need to be transported back to the plant in Mexico for repairs.

That would have caused a shutdown of four months or so. However, they were able to get it fixed and, barring unforeseen developments, the turbines are expected to be in operation next week.

David Mueller, liaison between landowners and Enel Green Power, said the transformer was under warranty, the company had insurance, and landowners experienced no loss of revenue.

“Everybody is covered,” he said.

Mueller said the company reported excellent production of electricity this past year.

“Even with a month’s delay, production exceeds the previous year,” he said.