In response to the changing renewable energy market in the UK and the move
towards significantly reduced and zero subsidies for onshore wind projects,
a wind consultancy has developed a package of measures to extend the
typical 20 year life expectancy for a wind project.
Durham-based Wind Prospect, has developed a package of measures to extend
the typical 20 year life expectancy for a wind project.
It will work in collaboration with Nabla Wind Power, an independent wind
engineering service provider who specialise in predicting site specific
component life, and a wind farm certification body to accredit the service.
Wind Prospect and Nabla Wind Power have compiled a guide which sets out the
benefits of extending wind farm design life and how to make it feasible. It
provides advice on permitting, land rights, wind turbine OEM, components,
O&M strategy, site, inspection strategy, grid, power purchase agreements,
tariff, and certification.
Robert Speht, Wind Prospect’s advisory service manager, said: “We have
introduced a series of measures to advise and support those in the market
currently reviewing their assets and looking for ways in which to maximise
their investment.
“Wind projects have traditionally been based on a standard 20 year
lifespan, but we think that existing and future projects now need to be
engineered for a 40 year lifespan.
“This raises an interesting question about what owners and operators need
to do to extend the lifespan of their project? We can answer this question
and help our clients take the next step, from a high level review of each
project to the practical steps of implementing the engineering solutions.
“Furthermore, by extending the project design lifecycle, we could see the
Levelised Cost of Electricity being brought down significantly. In the UK,
where the government has withdrawn subsidies, this is incredibly valuable.”
Ruben Ruiz de Gordejuela, Chief Technical Office, Nabla Wind Power, said:
“The combination of our skills will bring to owners and operators the best
information to support decision making by identifying the optimal
“financial life” extension potential for our clients assets, how to achieve
it and the plan for making it possible, leading to the protection and
maximisation of the asset value of your wind farm.”
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