top of page
Search

Extending Wind Turbine Lifetimes: What Ireland Can Learn from Europe

By Ronan O’Meara, Managing Director at EnergyPro.

Chairing panel discussion at Cyber Security Conference

At a recent SEAI workshop on wind turbine lifetime extension and repowering, it was clear that there are several differences in approach between Ireland and its European peers. The technical discussions were rigorous, and the key insights were very practical and relevant for owners, insurers, and policymakers here. 

 

This post outlines what I took from the workshop and what I believe we, as an industry in Ireland, need to address. Topics covered: 

 

  • Why we need early-life data to support lifetime extension 

  • What other countries (and OEMs) are doing that Ireland isn’t 

  • The looming challenge of blade recycling 

  • How owners can start planning now for better outcomes 



1. Early-Life Data Reduces Risk Later


One key message: good data early in a turbine’s life leads to better lifetime extension outcomes. 

 

  • Installing strain gauges and sensors from day one reduces the need for conservative assumptions. 

  • These tools help lower Design Fatigue Factors, which increase certified Remaining Useful Life (RUL). 

  • Accelerometers are good for detecting issues like vibration, but without strain gauges, they don't give you the full picture. 

 

What’s the takeaway? 

Smart instrumentation early on gives owners better options down the line. It's low-cost and high-impact. 


2. Blade Recycling Is an Unsolved Problem 


A growing issue with few answers: 

 

  • Landfill bans are spreading (Germany, Austria, NL, Finland).

  • Commercial recyclers want 10,000+ tons/year. Ireland will never reach that.

  • Estimated Irish peak: ~600 tons/year by 2030. 

 

Reuse is only viable with standardised blade design and more openness from OEMs. 

 

Next step: 

We need coordinated planning across Ireland and Europe to make blade recycling practical, or we face escalating costs and disposal issues. 

 

3. What Should Asset Owners in Ireland Do Now? 


  • Start early: Begin lifetime extension planning five years before certificate expiry. 

  • Use the right standards: Refer to IEC TS 61400-28 and DNV guidelines for best practice. 

  • Build inspection and testing into your strategy: Especially for blades, foundations, and offshore assets. 

  • Push for structured data collection: Not just for compliance, but to drive value. 

 


Conclusion: We Need to Move Proactively, Not Reactively 


At EnergyPro, we help wind farm owners take control of lifetime extension decisions with structured data, clear processes, and smart planning. 

 

If you’d like to explore how to extend your asset’s value with confidence, get in touch: https://www.energypro.ie/contact



Ronan O'Meara

About the Author

Ronan O'Meara, Managing Director

Ronan is a chartered engineer, renewable energy analyst and co-founder of EnergyPro


bottom of page