Repowering Wind Farms: A Missed Opportunity for Clean Energy
Across Europe, a silent revolution is brewing – one that could significantly boost clean energy production and revitalize aging infrastructure. It involves repowering existing wind farms, replacing outdated turbines with sleek, modern counterparts capable of generating multiples more power from the same amount of space.
This strategy is nothing short of revolutionary. Data shows that repowering can reduce the number of turbines on a site by an average of 25 percent while more than tripling the energy output and quadrupling the power generation per turbine.
The Advantages are Clear
“More electricity with fewer turbines – repowering is a no-brainer,” declared Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope. But, he adds, Governments aren’t doing enough to drive this crucial change, with many older wind farms continuing to operate with clunky, inefficient turbines.
These antiquated machines prowess pales compared to their modern replacements. Today’s wind turbines boast longer rotor blades that sweep a wider area, capturing more wind energy. Their advanced control systems optimize real-time operation, ensuring smooth and consistent power generation even in low wind conditions. Superior aerodynamics and higher capacity factors mean they simply generate more electricity, maximizing output.
Unlocking Greater Potential
Paula Rey Garcia, Deputy Head of Unit for Renewables and Energy System Integration Policy at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Energy, emphasizes the key role repowering can play in achieving ambitious energy and climate goals.
“The European Commission has put forward key permitting and repowering provisions in the revised Renewable Energy Directive,” she explained. “They now need to be implemented. We believe repowering should be a big contributor to achieving our energy and climate targets. Accelerating implementation efforts is a key priority for the new Commission. We will support the Member States here.”
Uneven Progress Across Europe
Surprisingly, repowering efforts are unevenly distributed across the continent. Germany takes the lead, boasting more than half of all repowered projects. Spain, a major player in onshore wind energy, lags behind with just 3 percent of repowered projects. France misses out on the advantages of repowering due to restrictive regulations on turbine height, hindering the installation of the latest, most efficient models. Many other member states lack comprehensive repowering strategies, highlighting the need for a cohesive, Europe-wide approach to unlocking the full potential of this transformative technology.
“The oldest wind farms are usually in the best wind sites – because they were the first to be built,” pointed out Dickson. “But if we don’t repower them then they have the least efficient turbine. That needs to change. Governments must implement the excellent new EU permitting rules, which make it easier to repower. Repowering ticks all the boxes: you use the old site, you don’t need a brand new grid connection – and the local communities support the wind farm and the benefits it brings and want it to continue.”
The time for action is now. Repowering wind farms is a win-win solution – it increases clean energy production, reduces environmental impact, and revitalizes existing infrastructure. By embracing a future-oriented approach to renewable energy, Europe can unlock significant benefits while taking decisive steps towards a more sustainable future for all.
