Evaluating Ontario Wind Turbine Decommissioning Plans

Abstract

The use of wind power has become an increasingly attractive energy source as concerns over climate change and non-renewable energy intensify. This report focuses on the largest segment of wind turbine development in Ontario, which is developer-owned turbines on leased private or crown land. The useful life for a modern wind turbine is approximately 20 years, at which point, the facilities must be repowered or decommissioned if economic or social circumstances no longer support the project. Based on the results of applying evaluation criteria to four wind energy Decommissioning Plan Reports, this report provides a number of recommendations for improving the process of planning for decommissioning wind energy facilities in Ontario.