What is the lifespan of a coal power plant?

[bucket]

Just wondering because the wind farm in Alberta has a 25 year life span and it gets decommissioned...in 2048.

[jazz]

Just wondering because the wind farm in Alberta has a 25 year life span and it gets decommissioned...in 2048.

There are lots that have been running since the 50s and 60s probably with upgrades. The sunk cost on most FF generation is paid for within a few yrs and then its all profit from there.

With windmills and panels, they will just get paid off within a few yrs of their life expectancy.

[woodland]

For the plants in Alberta it’s usually 50 years for a lifespan. That’s pretty good when you think about all the moving pieces and millions of tons of coal that goes through them.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Apparently in Germany, the life of a new coal power plant is now just 5 years:

Big Wind and crony politicians are pushing to clear 2000 hectares of 1000-year old forests to make way for 60 giant 5-MW wind turbines. Now imagine this being done 25 times because one ultra-modern coal plant will be decommissioned after being in service just 5 years.

https://notrickszone.com/2020/12/11/energy-masterminds-announce-latest-folly-shutdown-of-modern-coal-power-plant-commissioned-just-5-yrs-ago/ https://notrickszone.com/2020/12/11/energy-masterminds-announce-latest-folly-shutdown-of-modern-coal-power-plant-commissioned-just-5-yrs-ago/

Makes perfect sense to Chuck.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Claims of 25 year lifespans seem to be highly over rated as well:
https://stopthesethings.com/2020/06/15/how-long-do-wind-turbines-last-10-years-or-until-the-subsidies-run-out-whichever-occurs-first/ https://stopthesethings.com/2020/06/15/how-long-do-wind-turbines-last-10-years-or-until-the-subsidies-run-out-whichever-occurs-first/

[Taiga]

Solar is 5 years lifespan.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/solar-thermal-power-plant-mothballed-medicine-hat-1.5137428