Onshore wind turbines in Denmark have a longer life than previously predicted, according to a new report for the Danish Energy Agency (DEA).
The report – ‘Operating costs for older wind turbines’ – by consultancy EMD found that the service life of turbines is between 25 and 40 years, depending on size and location.
This represents an average life of 35 years for existing onshore turbines, EMD said.
Previously, an average life of 28 years for turbines built up to 2007 and 25 years for those since 2008 had been the expectation, the report said.
DEA said the report’s conclusion means that turbines can be expected to be in operation for many years to come, unless they are dismantled to make room for new projects.
The agency said that in response to the report it had updated projections for dismantling turbines on land.