The Hidden Costs of Installing Wind Turbines.

[Xtreme]

Visited a farmer friend in south western NSW recently where quite a few turbines are beig installed.
During conversation my eyes were opened to some interesting facts, especially in regard to installation costs.
One farmer was 'encouraged' to sell off all his stock (sheep & cattle) so that access to the installation site could be had by the workers and delivery trucks without the need to open and close the property gates! For this he will be paid $1.5M over a three year period.
Another was paid an undisclosed amount to allow right of way through his property for the delivery of oversize components that couldn't be taken via the public road.
And apparantly at the end of the turbine's expected 20 year life expectancy, the hosts (in this area mostly farmers) responsibility to remove and dispose of each turbine.

Does anyone have any idea how long it will take to recover the capital outlay and installation costs of these turbines?

[mrs]

Hate to think the cost of removal

[Xtreme]

Hate to think the cost of removal

The presence of asbestos will add to that cost also.

[scarry]

Hate to think the cost of removal

And the noise,once they are all operating,that is when the wind is blowing.

[p38arover]

Dismantling of a wind turbine would make a big hole in that $1.5m if the farmers is required to do it. Disposal of the turbine blades is also an issue. There are large piles of them around the world where they have been taken out of service.

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

[Tombie]

The presence of asbestos will add to that cost also.

Asbestos? In what nowadays?

[scarry]

Dismantling of a wind turbine would make a big hole in that $1.5m if the farmers is required to do it. Disposal of the turbine blades is also an issue. There are large piles of them around the world where they have been taken out of service.

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

It would also be difficult to sell the property,in that situation.

They probably think they never will,possibly been in the family for generations.But things change.

[p38arover]

I suppose a farmer could drop it and leave it where it fell for future owners to worry about.

[mrs]

I suppose a farmer could drop it and leave it where it fell for future owners to worry about.

I suspect that would be the most likely outcome, leave it, and if it falls apart in place saves dismantling it

[Xtreme]

Dismantling of a wind turbine would make a big hole in that $1.5m if the farmers is required to do it. Disposal of the turbine blades is also an issue. There are large piles of them around the world where they have been taken out of service.

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

That $1.5M is only compensation for destocking and leaving the gates open. I'm pretty sure they also get an annual payment - not sure how much - while the turbines are operating. Just another one of those hidden costs contributing to our cheap renewable energy!