Presentations

Abstract

Lifetime extension (LTE) is now a default feature in wind asset transactions. Claims of 30 to 35-year operational lifetime are routinely included in seller materials, often to support the valuation. In many cases these claims are made without structured technical assessments. The result is a growing mismatch between assumed lifetime, projected Operational Expenditure (OPEX), and budgeted availability. Many cases present extended lifetimes despite retaining 25-year cost structures and maintenance schedules.  IEC/TS 61400-28:2025 offers a structured path for evaluating remaining turbine lifetime, but it is not designed to accommodate the conditions of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). Data room inputs are limited, timelines are short, and full design review or simulations are rarely possible.  This presentation compares two practical use cases of applying the same framework, IEC/TS 61400-28:2025, under very different conditions. One is operational offshore asset with full documentation and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) support. The other is a legacy onshore portfolio with mixed records, multiple ownership changes and limited monitoring history. This presentation shows how the standard is applied to evaluate LTE claims for projects and portfolios across the asset lifecycle. Wherever records are available, the standard is followed as written. Where gaps remain, its core principles guide decision-making: site condition severity, availability of spare parts, and operator knowledge are assessed to indicate LTE readiness. For large portfolios, a streamlined screening process detects where deeper analysis is advisable. The purpose of the presentation is to teach investors to distinguish between a thought-through project, that incorporated LTE from the start from a made-up case, where LTE has been added to fabricate a better business case prior to divestment. It provides practicable and actionable tips on which questions to ask, what documentation to request and which trends to watch out for.