Relationship Between Wind Turbine Availability and Maintenance Cost Structures: A Field-Based Study

Authors

  • Daniel J. Thompson Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
  • Emily R. Chen Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
  • Michael A. O’Connor Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada

Keywords:

availability, maintenance cost, OPEX, asset optimization, wind farm operations

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between wind turbine availability and maintenance cost structures is essential for optimizing asset performance and lifecycle expenditures. This study investigates the statistical relationship between availability metrics and maintenance cost components using empirical field data. Operational and financial records from 15 wind farms were analyzed over a five-year period, including annual availability, corrective maintenance labor hours, spare parts expenditure, and total normalized OPEX. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were conducted to assess linear and monotonic relationships between availability and cost indicators. The results reveal a statistically significant negative correlation (R ranging from −0.71 to −0.76) between availability and corrective maintenance cost intensity, indicating that declining availability is strongly associated with increasing unplanned maintenance expenditure. Additional regression analysis confirms the robustness of this relationship after controlling for turbine age and site conditions. These findings support integrated health and cost evaluation approaches for data-driven decision-making in wind farm asset management.

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Published

2026-05-25

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Social Sciences, Humanities and Innovation

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel J. Thompson, Emily R. Chen, Michael A. O’Connor

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