Updated: Man dies in ‘tragic incident’ at EDF wind project in Texas

The incident happened last Wednesday (24 April) at the 68MW Windthorst-2 project in Archer County, north Texas, according to local media station Kauz News Channel 6. 

According to the news outlet, the Archer County Sheriff’s Office named the man as 31-year-old Marco Anthony Portillo Jr. 

A Go-Fund-Me fundraising page dedicated to Portillo Jr – who is described as a father of four children – has currently raised over $14,800 (€13,815) for his family.

Windthorst II Wind was developed by OwnEnergy, a subsidiary of French utility EDF, and was later bought by the Blackrock investment company. 

A spokesperson for EDF Renewables told Windpower Monthly the company was working with the authorities investigating the incident. 

“EDF Renewables is saddened to learn of the tragic incident. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.  We are working closely with the contractor and authorities in the investigation of the incident,” a statement from the company read. 

Windthorst II Wind came online in 2014 and uses 28 of Siemens Gamesa’s SWT-2.3-108 turbines according to Windpower Intelligence, the data and research division of Windpower Monthly.  

Windpower Monthly contacted Archer County Sheriff’s Office for comment.