When a renewable energy project breaks ground, it’s built with a future in mind: decades of clean, reliable power. But hitting that 25- to 30-year target doesn’t happen by accident. 

Without a full asset lifecycle plan, even the best-designed wind and solar farms can fall short of their potential – costing asset owners more in lost revenue, emergency repairs and operational risk than they ever planned for. 

“Just because a project is designed for 30 years doesn’t mean it’ll make it,” says Steve Clark, General Manager of Stanwell Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo). “If you don’t invest in lifecycle planning, you’ll be scrambling when things start to fail.” 

Backed by Stanwell Corporation, Queensland’s largest energy asset owner and generator, SAMCo provides reliable operations and maintenance services for clean energy generation and storage.  

It’s an approach backed by decades of proven performance at Queensland’s Tarong and Stanwell power stations – two of the most consistently reliable generators in the National Electricity Market. Tarong once held the world record for the longest continuous run of operations, a record now held by Stanwell Power Station. 

Those results weren't by chance. They were the outcome of disciplined asset management, strategic maintenance and whole-of-life planning.  

Today, that same approach guides SAMCo’s work in the renewable sector – helping energy assets last longer, perform better and delivery greater value over time. 

In this article, Steve shares why proactive, whole-of-life thinking matters – and how SAMCo helps asset owners future-proof their investments from day one. 

Beyond the handover: The risks of short-term thinking 

In Steve’s experience, one of the biggest risks in renewable energy isn’t at the end of an asset’s life – it’s failing to plan for that lifecycle from the start.  

“A lot of the time, operations and maintenance contracts only focus on short-term deliverables,” he explains. “There’s a tendency to push problems down the line, making it the next provider’s issue.”  

Without careful planning, critical upgrades and replacements – like SCADA systems (the control systems that monitor and manage site operations), protection systems, or spare parts – get left out of budgets. Over time, those gaps can lead to serious issues. 

“I visited a wind farm in Europe once that clearly had no lifecycle plan,” Steve remembers. “Hydraulic hoses weren’t replaced, maintenance schedules slipped, and eventually, towers were covered in oil leaks. It got to the point where technicians refused to climb because it was too dangerous.” 

This kind of reactive maintenance isn’t just costly – it puts the whole asset at risk. 

Full lifecycle planning is an investment, not an expense 

At SAMCo, lifecycle management isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of every project conversation from the outset.  

“We don’t just look at what’s happening during the contract term,” Steve says. “We work with asset owners to build a clear roadmap for the whole life of the project.”  

That means budgeting for:  

• SCADA system and software upgrades (think of it like upgrading a laptop every 5-7 years) 

• protection system updates 

• spare parts strategies for panels, inverters and key equipment 

• planned interventions based on asset age, wear and emerging risks. 

 “If you plan early, you can spread the investment out and avoid nasty surprises later,” Steve adds. “You might even find cost efficiencies by upgrading or repowering at the right time, rather than waiting for things to fail.” 

What does a smart lifecycle plan include? 

A well-developed lifecycle plan isn’t just a list of maintenance tasks – it’s a living document that evolves with your asset. While every project is different, your plan should generally cover:  

• a timeline of planned upgrades (e.g. SCADA systems, interters, protection systems) 

• strategies for sourcing and stocking critical spare parts 

• triggers for inspections and component replacements based on usage or age 

• criteria for evaluating repowering vs. decommissioning options 

• financial modelling that accounts for lifecycle CAPEX and OPEX 

• compliance and regulatory requirements (including emerging end-of-life rules). 

SAMCo works with asset owners to develop and refine these plans early – helping avoid nasty surprises and optimise asset value throughout its life. 

Repowering, not retiring 

In Steve’s view, most asset owners aren’t thinking about decommissioning – they’re focused on getting more from what they already have.  

“Most owners are looking at repowering first,” he explains. “You’ve already got land, you’ve already got a grid connection point – why walk away from that?”  

Early wind farms, for example, are replacing smaller turbines with fewer, more powerful ones while maintaining the same grid output. Solar projects may swap out ageing panels for newer, higher-wattage models to extend asset life.  

“When we work with clients, it’s about providing options: How do you keep operating efficiently? When do you upgrade? What makes sense for this asset and its environment? Steve says. “A strong lifecycle plan means you’re ready to make those decisions before problems arise.” 

A proactive partner for the long haul 

SAMCo’s asset management approach goes beyond maintenance contracts. It’s about being a long-term partner who helps clients safeguard the full value of their investments.  

“We stay close to the OEMs (original equipment manufacturers),” Steve says. “We monitor product lifecycles. We work with owners to plan upgrades, replacements and transitions.  

“Good lifecycle planning isn’t about spending more. It’s about spending smarter – and protecting your asset from surprises.” 

Steve’s message to asset owners? 

“Don’t leave your project’s future to chance. Build a lifecycle plan. Review it often. And partner with OEM experts who understand the whole picture, from startup to shutdown, and every stage in between.”   

Because when it comes to renewable energy, achieving 30 years of clean generation isn’t guaranteed. But it is possible, with the right plan – and the right partner – in place.