A Wind Turbine Works for 25 Years – What Happens Next?

Wind turbines are typically designed for a service life of around 20 to 25 years, though with careful maintenance and upgrades, many can remain operational for up to 30 years or more. This lifespan depends not only on the machine's original design but also on environmental factors, operational stresses, and maintenance practices. After this period, decisions must be made regarding the turbine's future, with sustainable and circular approaches becoming increasingly important in the wind energy sector.​

Life Extension Strategies

The operational lifespan of a wind turbine can often be extended through proactive interventions such as gearbox replacements around year 12, blade repairs or coatings every five to seven years, and control system upgrades at mid-life. These maintenance routines address wear issues like bearing pitting, blade erosion, and electronic obsolescence to keep turbines efficient beyond their nominal design life. Field data especially in onshore UK settings show that turbines routinely achieve 25 to 30 years of service with such comprehensive care.​

End-of-Life Options

At the 25-year mark, turbine owners typically consider three pathways: continued life extension, repowering the site with newer technology, or decommissioning. Repowering involves removing old turbines and installing larger, more efficient models on existing foundations, utilizing proven wind sites and improving energy output. Decommissioning, meanwhile, focuses on dismantling the turbine with an emphasis on material recovery, recycling steel towers and foundations, and managing more challenging components like composite blades.​

Circular Economy and Material Recovery

Steel and concrete from turbines are highly recyclable, contributing to a circular economy by re-entering manufacturing and construction cycles. However, recycling turbine blades remains a challenge due to their composite materials, though advancements are being made to improve blade recovery and repurposing. Integrating circular economy principles into turbine life cycles aims to minimize waste and environmental impact, promoting sustainability far beyond the initial 25 years of energy production.​

Economic and Environmental Implications

Maximizing wind turbine service life through maintenance and circular approaches not only increases the economic returns from capital investments but also reduces the environmental footprint by lowering the demand for raw material extraction and manufacturing new turbines. This lifecycle perspective aligns wind energy with broader climate goals, ensuring it remains a key pillar of sustainable energy transition.​

References

• AIS Wind Energy: How long do onshore wind turbines usually last?

• Business Norway: How long is the lifespan of wind turbines?​

• WINDExchange: End of Service Wind Turbine Guide​

• Industry-Science: Turning in Circles – Circular Economy in Wind Turbines​

• Clean Grid Alliance: What happens at the end of a wind turbine's life cycle?​

• Sustainability Directory: Circular Wind Energy Economy​

• Prism Sustainability: Circular Economy in Wind Turbine Component Life Cycle​