The decision to scrap a wind turbine : opportunity cost, timing and policy

Abstract

This paper attempts to empirically identify the key factors involved in the decision to scrap a wind turbine using data from Denmark. The importance of the opportunity cost of operating an older wind turbine is shown to be a prominent factor in the decision to scrap. I show the strong effect that renewable energy policy plays in the decision to scrap a turbine. Through the use of both non-parametric and semi-parametric duration models and an instrumental variables approach I identify a strong effect for scrapping schemes put in place by the Danish government. I also obtain the, initially, counter-intuitive result that more effective wind turbines have a higher hazard of being scrapped.