How long does a wind turbine last?

Depending on how windy and turbulent the site is, the turbine could last for 25 years or even longer, though as with anything mechanical, the maintenance costs will increase as it gets older. It is unlikely that a wind turbine would last longer than this because they are subjected to quite extreme loads throughout their lives.

What factors determine a wind turbine's life?

What Factors Determine a Wind Turbine’s Life? Modern wind turbines are designed to last 20 years and with proper monitoring and preventative maintenance two to three times per year (increasing with frequency as the turbine ages) their lifetime can be extended to 25 years .

How long do wind turbine blades last?

With an average lifespan of 25 years, a high proportion of wind turbines across the world are approaching retirement. Made of fibreglass, wind turbine blades usually end up in landfill. Credit: Andreas Nesslinger / Shutterstock

How can the lifecycle of a wind turbine be extended?

The lifecycle of a turbine can be extended through careful monitoring and maintenance. This requires the condition of the asset to be assessed and compared with the expended lifespan of the turbine, based upon the expected loads and fatigue as well as environmental factors for the wind energy site.

How often do wind turbines need maintenance?

As mentioned above, the actual amount of maintenance required to keep a wind power asset in operation will vary depending upon factors including specific operating conditions and the materials used. However, wind turbines generally require preventative maintenance check-ups two or three times per year.

How often do wind turbines fail?

Generator and gear boxes fail less often but have a longer downtime. 25% of wind turbine failures caused 95% of downtime. On average wind turbines fail at least once a year and have a reliability of 98%. Wind turbine blades failing are still rare with about 0.54% (or 3,800) of all blades in the United States failing every year .