Our special focus on older wind turbines is deep in our DNA. We always have the ambition to make “what’s already in the field” produce longer than originally expected. This is one of our key contributions to the green transition and reflects our conscious choice in a time of a “use-and-throw-away” culture.
Momentum currently owns a wind turbine portfolio consisting of 290 turbines in Denmark, spread across the country. With an average age of over 25 years, it is crucial for us to prioritize maintenance and optimization to ensure efficient operation and extend the lifetime of our older turbines.
One of the latest initiatives we have launched is a Leading Edge Protection (LEP) test project on 12 Danish turbines. This initiative is part of our strategic effort to protect turbine blades from erosion and minimize the risk of major structural damage. In 2023, we conducted a comprehensive inspection of the leading edges of 54 turbines to prioritize future maintenance projects.
Wing leading edge repair is essential to avoid damage that can deteriorate wings over time. If erosion is not addressed in a timely manner, multiple layers of fiberglass can be damaged and water can enter the wing. This will further exacerbate the damage, and in the worst case, lightning strikes can result in an irreversible splitting of the wing.
In addition to preventing structural damage, intact blade leading edges also have a direct impact on the production efficiency of the turbines. By repairing the damage, we expect to increase annual energy production by 1-2%, ensuring both higher production and more sustainable operation.
Our Operations team in Roskilde works closely with Momentum Energy Services to ensure continuous optimization investments in the Danish portfolio.
With this long-term strategy, we aim to extend the lifetime of our older turbines and increase production, supporting our overall goal of reducing global CO2 emissions by developing and producing green energy in the most sustainable way, creating value for people, society and nature.