Wind Farms Outlast Expectations: Longevity Matches Nuclear - CleanTechnica

The article challenges the common assertion by nuclear energy proponents that nuclear power plants have a significant advantage over wind farms in terms of operational lifespan. While nuclear reactors typically have licensed lifespans of 40 to 60 years, often extended to 80 years, recent developments in wind energy demonstrate that wind farms can match or even exceed these durations. A notable example is Denmark’s Middelgrunden offshore wind farm, initially expected to operate for 25 years but recently granted a 25-year extension without major equipment replacement, effectively doubling its lifespan to 50 years. Other Danish wind farms like Nysted and Samsø have also received operational extensions, with potential for further life prolongation. In addition to lifespan extensions through maintenance and inspections, the practice of repowering—replacing older turbines with fewer, larger, and more efficient ones—significantly enhances the longevity and output of wind farms. The Ovenden Moor wind farm in the UK exemplifies this, having increased its electricity production by 2