What is the future of the oldest wind farms?

Countries such as Spain, Denmark and Germany, which were once pioneers in wind farms, now face the challenge of their useful life.

It was in 1996 when, for the first time in the history of Spain, the first wind farms appeared as an alternative source of electricity supply to the then predominant traditional power plants.

It was in Navarre, specifically in the El Perdón mountain range, a common destination for cyclists and hikers. There, after two installation phases totaling 20 megawatts of installed power, the first wind turbines came into operation. Inaugurating a new era in energy generation.

More than 20 years have passed since this pioneering project, developed by Acciona. And it is now time to put on the table a strategy for the maintenance of these wind farms. More than anything because of the present in which renewable energy, particularly wind power, are no longer young installations.

Wind power problems shared with Germany and Denmark

Far from being a problem only in Spain, this concern has also materialized in two other countries. In their day, as in the Spanish case, the spearheads of wind energy were: Germany and Denmark.

And, as the Wind Energy Business Association (AEE) recalls in its blog – somoseolicos.com-, in 2030, 50% of all wind farms installed in Europe – totaling 164 GW of power – will be in the same situation as El Perdón. Reaching or exceeding 20 years of life.

This particularly affects Danish, German and Spanish interests, which are the ones with the oldest facilities. And, logically, they will once again be pioneers.

Although, this time, in terms of regulation and research into their useful life. Such is the need that by 2020, half of Spanish generators will have been around for more than 15 years. Approaching the figure that a priori marks the end of its useful life.

Alto de El Perdón, where you can see the first wind turbines in the history of Spain

Wind power facilities, prepared to extend their useful life

Although the situation requires prompt action, especially in terms of European legislation, the AEE recalls that “the fact that, in many cases, the assets are in good operating condition -together with the lack of clear and homogeneous regulation on repowering on the continent- is leading the sector towards a natural trend: the extension of the life of wind farms“.

This lengthening of their useful life can also be translated, according to the association itself, into an increase in the performance of the wind farms.

Thus, the promoters calculate that in the case of a fifteen megawatt wind farm, the performance could increase by up to two basis points by extending its life by 10 years. Which would further enhance its competitiveness as a sustainable, renewable and affordable energy source.

Furthermore, far from there being a technological barrier that prevents the prolonging of the use of these veteran parks, the AEE reminds us that “manufacturers with a presence in Spain have innovative solutions for extending their life that they are already applying successfully“. Something that is supported by companies such as Siemens-Gamesa.

II International Conference on Wind Farm Life Extension

Due to this situation, during the next September 19 and 20, an event will take place in Madrid in which the problems and possible solutions will be discussed.

Thus, during the “II International Conference on Wind Farm Life Extension wind farms“, which was held for the first time last year, industry professionals will discuss topics such as:

• The extension of the useful life of wind farms.
• The challenges this represents for the maintenance of wind turbines.
• The recycling of components that are no longer valid.
• The economic and financing framework within which this entire process will take place.
• The possible solutions that attendees bring to the fore, among others.