Decommissioning

TagEnergy will decommission the wind farm at the end of the project life. These steps are in place to ensure compliance and protect the community.

Obligations under the lease

Under the wind farm host leases, the wind farm company is obliged to maintain the facilities and land in good order and in accordance with all laws and approvals, including undertaking the decommissioning/removal of the equipment at the end of the lease. This is well-established practice for all property leases.

Funding decommissioning

To pay for decommissioning, the wind farm company makes provisions during the operational phase of the project. These amounts are calculated with expert input, increase over time, are reported in the company's audited financial accounts, and must comply with tax and corporate laws. All large infrastructure companies follow this process. TagEnergy is already following this exact practice at its Golden Plains Wind Farm, Australia's largest operating wind project. This ensures the funds for decommissioning are available when needed.

Host landowner security

While decommissioning is provisioned and paid for by the wind farm company as explained above, landowners also receive additional protection through a financial security such as a bank guarantee or bond. If the wind farm company fails to meet its decommissioning obligations, the issuing bank or institution will pay the landowner to cover the costs of decommissioning.

Decommissioning Plan

When it is time to decommission the project, a Decommissioning Plan is prepared and submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for approval. This plan includes:

• the safest method of decommissioning,
• if materials can be refurbished,
• what materials can be recycled and where,
• what materials will be disposed of and where.

The major wind turbine suppliers have announced targets to have 100% recycling capability for their turbines by 2040. Vestas for example can currently recycle 85% of turbine components.

Image from Vestas