There are problems in OMA application for SHM of typical industrial structures operating under active ambient forces. The cost of a multi-channel system for simultaneous measurement of dynamic signals is the main one. The second is the maintainability of sensor network characterizing the dynamic behaviour of an object. The advanced approaches to OMA allow simplifying a measurement setup and reducing channels quantity. The model of wind generator, acting as an experimental object, was equipped with cheap dynamic deformation sensors (piezo films) being able to be embedded into a structure. The model provides simulation of failures to compare effectiveness of conventional and optimized OMA techniques for SHM. The measurement system allows the number and sequence variation of measured sensors. Applied technical solutions, modal modelling and mode shape identification are considered. The initial modal properties are based on modelling and experimentally obtained OMA data based on simultaneously measured dynamic signals from all DOFs of the object. Modification of the model mechanical features was arranged using test failures. The paper discusses effectiveness estimation of OMA techniques application for detecting different mechanical defects. The multi-patch OMA approach was applied using consequent switching of deformation sensor groups. Such approach promises cost saving in case of application in industrial scale. The paper considers the preliminary results of experimental OMA application using different number of channels and DOF measurement sequence. There are conclusions about experimental technical solutions and ability of optimized OMA application in industrial circumstances.