Wind Turbines Wear Out Early?

Wind farms in Britain are wearing out far more rapidly than previously thought, making them more expensive as a result, according to an authoritative new study. Telegraph

The analysis of almost 3,000 onshore wind turbines — the biggest study of its kind —warns that they will continue to generate electricity effectively for just 12 to 15 years.

The wind energy industry and the Government base all their calculations on turbines enjoying a lifespan of 20 to 25 years.

The study estimates that routine wear and tear will more than double the cost of electricity being produced by wind farms in the next decade.

The report concludes that a wind turbine will typically generate more than twice as much electricity in its first year than when it is 15 years old.

Georgetown signed a 20 year contract in 2016 with EDF Energy Renewables of California for 144MW of electricity supplied by wind turbines in West Texas.

Does this British study have any implications for Georgetown? Only time will tell, but, the taxpayers will surely not be informed until long after the current city management has moved on.

Citizens are precluded from seeing the contract with EDF by a state law designed to withhold competitive information and trade secrets. This law needs to be changed with respect to municipal utilities so that the owners (citizens) have full access to the terms and conditions of any utility contracts, especially those the are 20 and 25 years in duration.

Contact your state senator and state representative to tell them to change this onerous law that hides key information from taxpayers and allow for full transparency.