Innovative Wind Farm Repowering

Repowering of wind farms: what’s in it for me?

As repowering specialists, we can enhance land use efficiency and increase energy production, adding more value by replacing old wind turbines with modern ones at the same location. We take care of the entire project development, from planning and permitting to dismantling old turbines and reconstruction.

The key benefits of repowering

Increased energy production: Modern turbines are more efficient, producing significantly more energy with fewer turbines on the same site.
Better land use efficiency: Fewer, larger turbines generate more power, optimising land use and reducing the environmental footprint.
Lower maintenance costs: New turbines require less maintenance, cutting operational costs and extending the wind farm’s lifespan.
Faster permitting: Repowering generally faces fewer regulatory hurdles since the site is already permitted for wind energy.
Environmental benefits: Repowering reduces the need for new land, minimises the impact on wildlife and improve bird protection.
Improved community relations: Benefits include improved community relations by reducing noise and shadow flicker, along with boosting local economies through job creation.

From landowners to investors: The benefits of wind farm repowering

Benefits for Landowners
Compensation models for land use agreements have steadily evolved in recent years, becoming more flexible and adaptable to local conditions. Today’s agreements are highly transparent, fostering a fair balance of interests for all parties involved.

Benefits for Residents
New wind turbines operate at lower speeds due to increasing rotor diameters and are quieter thanks to optimised aerodynamics and rotor blade geometry. Furthermore, the landscape is less impacted, as many small turbines are often replaced by fewer large ones. For this reason, repowering projects have generally higher acceptance among the public.

Benefits for Communities
Repowering typically does not require the designation of new areas; instead, it takes place in regions where wind energy is already established. This allows for the efficient use of existing land. The higher yields from modern turbines benefit not only investors but can also benefit the surrounding communities, for instance in Germany, particularly through the “Financial Participation of Municipalities”, as regulated in § 6 of the EEG. This concept allows municipalities within a 2.5-kilometre radius of a wind turbine to financially participate in the profits.

Benefits for Investors
Since space for new wind turbines is limited, it makes sense to use land suitable for wind energy as efficiently as possible with modern turbines. Higher yields from greater nominal power also offer higher margins for investors, making repowering economically viable even before the end of a turbine’s lifetime. Additionally, the investment can be extended through a nearly seamless transition from old turbines to new ones, as repowering planning typically begins around five years before the dismantling of an existing turbine.

Eurowind Energy as your repowering business partner

Eurowind Energy A/S is a Danish company established in 2006. We develop, construct, and operate renewable energy assets, providing a flexible one-stop-shop experience for all involved partners to ensure all their needs are met efficiently and conveniently. With solar and wind parks in 16 countries, we own or co-own over 700 turbines across Europe, supplying power to more than 600,000 European households.

By tailoring our approach, we ensure that each wind and solar farm operates at its peak potential, delivering optimal performance and sustainability. Through a variety of ownership models, we offer flexible partnership structures to achieve the best outcomes for all stakeholders. We prioritise understanding our partners’ expectations to ensure effective execution.

We have an extensive experience in repowering projects, and we are excited about the potential they bring. Whether you need advice on extending the life of your assets, choosing the right timing for a repowering project, or exploring other options, we are here to help every step of the way.

Please contact our specialists for more information. Eurowind Energy provides you with the full value chain from planning to grid integration across markets. Contact us today to hear more

Repowering project | Sitten, Germany

Sitten, Leipzig is one of our repowered wind farms located in Germany. Originally, the park housed seven wind turbines installed in 1999. Recognising the need for more advanced technology, we replaced four old turbines with two new, state-of-the-art V150 turbines. These new turbines, standing at 241 meters tall, each have a capacity of 6.0 MW per hour under optimal wind conditions.

The two new turbines became operational in September and October 2022, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainable energy and technological innovation.

Park information

Number of Turbines: two new turbines (replacing four old turbines). Originally, the park housed seven wind turbines installed in 1999.
Turbines Tip Height: 241 meters.
The new turbines power 6,0 MW in windy weather
5.500 households are supplied with green energy

The importance of the local community in our repowering project

The repowered Sitten wind park showcased a unique relationship between Eurowind Energy, the municipality, landowners, farmers, and the entire community. This collaboration highlights the importance of working together towards a common goal. The residents of Sitten were already accustomed to wind turbines in their landscape and understood the significant benefits that a repowering project could bring. They recognised how a modern wind park could positively impact both the local economy and the environment.

At Eurowind Energy, we place great emphasis on the involvement of the local community in all our projects. We believe that the support and engagement of the community are crucial for the success of any initiative. In Sitten, we have actively supported numerous local activities, reinforcing our commitment to the community’s well-being and prosperity.

This project is not just about technological advancement; it’s about creating strong relationships between Eurowind Energy and the local community.

Repowering project | Pegau, Germany

One of our many repowering projects is located in Pegau, Germany.

We have decommissioned four Nordex N29 250 kW turbines, amounting to 1 MW.

The metal towers were scrapped and recycled. The blades, nacelles, and control systems were transported back to Denmark to be used as spare parts as we make a significant effort to “reuse” as much as possible.

There are plans to install 7 MW of wind capacity in 2025.

FAQ

Repowering explained: A closer look at wind farm upgrades

Repowering refers to the process of replacing older, less efficient wind turbines with new, advanced models and dismantling technically outdated installations. This transition is not just about upgrading technology; it’s a strategic move that can significantly enhance the performance of existing wind farms. By turning wind farms into cutting-edge energy producers, the repowered wind farms show huge potential of replacing the old turbines by more powerful and efficient models to harness more power from the same location. The new installations have a significantly higher rated power and efficiency than the old installations and consequently generate more power. The exchange of installations usually occurs at a ratio of 1:1 to 1:3, meaning that up to three old installations are dismantled for one new installation.

How long does it take to repower a wind farm?

The timeline for repowering a wind site in Germany can vary significantly depending on several factors, but on average, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 years.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Planning and Permitting (2-4 years)
Decommissioning and Dismantling (1-6 months)
Construction of new turbines (1-2 years)
Grid integration and testing (a few months)

When is the right time for repowering?

Continued operation vs. repowering

Limited space for wind energy, along with rapid technological advancements in wind turbines and the resulting increase in performance, often makes repowering profitable well before the end of a turbine’s lifetime. We work with you to develop various scenarios and identify the best option for your wind farm.

When is repowering worthwhile?

The right timing for repowering should be assessed and economically weighed before planning. Currently, the levelised cost of electricity for onshore wind turbines is significantly below 5 cents per kWh. In contrast, the full costs for fossil fuels and nuclear energy exceed 10 cents per kWh. This trend is expected to intensify in the future due to resource scarcity. Additionally, the follow-up costs associated with environmental and health damages from energy production using fossil fuels, such as emissions from coal power plants, are often overlooked. Generally, the larger the share of renewable energy in a country’s electricity mix, the lower the market prices for electricity tend to be. Thus, prices in Germany are significantly lower compared to those in France, which generates 70% of its electricity from nuclear power. On very windy days, the export of green electricity can even lower electricity prices abroad.

What happens to the old systems?
Recycling or disposal. There are various options for repurposing the decommissioned old systems. Systems that are still in good condition can be refurbished and operated in other countries. If this is not feasible, old systems can be used as spare parts or nearly completely recycled due to their many steel components.