A wind turbine generator preventive maintenance schedule lists the checks and jobs done on the equipment at fixed intervals, how long each takes, and in what order of frequency, so problems are found before the wind turbine generator fails. This page gives the schedule used in the PlantOps360 task library for wind turbine generator (wtg), which follows common industry practice for general-purpose equipment. It is also searched for as wind turbine, WTG, wind farm, nacelle.
The maker’s manual and your site safety procedures always come first where they differ. Intervals set by law differ by state.
Wind turbine generator preventive maintenance schedule and checklist
| How often | Task | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Review SCADA alarms and power curve; check generator and gearbox temperatures and vibration remotely | 30 min |
| Monthly | Check oil levels, leaks and cooling system; check tower base panels | 90 min |
| Quarterly | Check bolt torque (tower, blade, yaw) as per the OEM sampling plan; check brake pads | 180 min |
| Half-yearly | Gearbox and hydraulic oil analysis and filter replacement; grease main bearing, yaw and pitch bearings | 360 min |
| Annual | Annual service: blade inspection, lightning protection test, safety equipment and climbing system inspection | 720 min |
| Annual | Test emergency stop, overspeed protection and fire detection | 240 min |
Wind turbine generator maintenance frequency and yearly workload
At the estimated times, one wind turbine generator needs about 84 hours of preventive maintenance a year. The biggest single job is “Annual service: blade inspection, lightning protection test, safety equipment and climbing system inspection” at 720 minutes, done annual. Multiply by the number of units you have to see the workload for your plant.
| Frequency | Tasks | Time per round | Hours per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 1 | 30 min | 26.0 h |
| Monthly | 1 | 90 min | 18.0 h |
| Quarterly | 1 | 180 min | 12.0 h |
| Half-yearly | 1 | 360 min | 12.0 h |
| Annual | 2 | 960 min | 16.0 h |
What goes wrong on a wind turbine generator without preventive maintenance
- Gearbox and bearing wear
- Pitch and yaw faults
- Blade damage
- Loose bolts
What to watch between services
- SCADA alarms and power curve
- Oil levels and temperatures
- Bolt torque checks
Safety and statutory notes for wind turbine generator maintenance
Work in turbines needs fall protection, climbing and rescue training, and lockout of the rotor and electrical energy.
Where a wind turbine generator preventive maintenance schedule is used
This equipment is used in the industries below. Each link opens the preventive maintenance schedule guide for that industry, and the maintenance software page where we have one.
- Preventive maintenance schedule for thermal and hydro power plants · maintenance software for power plants
- Preventive maintenance schedule for solar, wind and renewable energy plants · maintenance software for renewable energy
Related equipment maintenance schedules
- Diesel generator set preventive maintenance schedule
- Gas engine generator set preventive maintenance schedule
- Gas turbine / turbo generator preventive maintenance schedule
- Hydro turbine, generator preventive maintenance schedule
- Battery energy storage system preventive maintenance schedule
- Large generator preventive maintenance schedule
- Solar tracker drives, controllers preventive maintenance schedule
Browse the full list of equipment preventive maintenance schedules (317 types).
Run this wind turbine generator schedule in maintenance software
In preventive maintenance software, each row above becomes a recurring task on the asset with its checklist, time estimate and parts. Tasks can be triggered by calendar date, running hours, meter readings or production cycles, each completed task is recorded with the person and date, and a failed check can open a work order. For the method behind it, read the guide to the preventive maintenance schedule, or use the free generator to get a 12-month plan for your whole equipment list.
Build my preventive maintenance schedule (free Excel)
Frequently asked questions
How often should a wind turbine generator be serviced?
In our schedule a wind turbine generator has 6 tasks: 1 weekly, 1 monthly, 1 quarterly, 1 half-yearly, 2 annual. The biggest job is “Annual service: blade inspection, lightning protection test, safety equipment and climbing system inspection”, which is done annual. Always follow the maker’s manual where it gives a different interval.
What is included in wind turbine generator preventive maintenance?
It covers routine checks and jobs such as “Review SCADA alarms and power curve; check generator and gearbox temperatures and…”, “Check oil levels, leaks and cooling system; check tower base panels”, “Check bolt torque (tower, blade, yaw) as per the OEM sampling plan; check brake pads”, up to the annual overhaul or inspection. The full list with times is in the table above.
How many hours of maintenance does a wind turbine generator need per year?
About 84 hours per unit per year at the estimated times in our library, including all scheduled rounds. Use it to plan workload, not as a benchmark.
Is there a free wind turbine generator maintenance checklist?
Yes. The table on this page is a ready checklist. The free preventive maintenance schedule generator turns it into a 12-month Excel schedule for your list of equipment, with monthly workload hours.