Making old wind farms fit for the future

More efficiency and more profit from repowering

We turn old into new

When the 20 years of EEG (Renewable Energy Act) support for old wind farms runs out, repowering of existing wind farms greatly extends their useful life. What’s more, replacing 1st-generation wind turbines with the latest models will significantly increase their efficiency.

You can rely on the experience, competence and financial strength of RWE as your partner for future-proof repowering projects.

A wind farm site with multiple wind turbines, blades, and construction equipment on a green field.

Repowering at RWE

How the operation and efficiency of onshore wind farm Panther Creek III were extended

By upcycling the Panther Creek III onshore wind farm in Texas, USA, which was connected to the grid for the first time in 2009, RWE is demonstrating the potential of repowering. 133 wind turbines were sustainably recycled as part of this repowering project.

This processing of the rotor blades carried out by Veolia North America contributes to effectively increasing the annual production of the wind farm.

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Your benefits with RWE

  • If you just dismantle or remove your old wind turbines, it is not just your key contribution to the energy transformation that is lost but also the income you have been earning. On the other hand, if you modernise those aging wind farms, you can expect even greater gains than before. It is not uncommon to halve the number of turbines, double their output through more efficient use of the land and triple the energy yield.

  • New-generation wind turbines are much quieter and smoother than the previous models. As an added bonus, repowering gives you an opportunity to rectify any past planning flaws and ensure compliance with current legal requirements, like extending the distance between wind turbines and residential homes. All of this will increase the degree of public acceptance of your wind farm.

  • RWE is one of the world leaders in wind power and an experienced partner for repowering projects. We have already worked with the landowners of our own wind farms to make many of them fit for the future. We take responsibility for the whole process, from dismantling the old turbines through to completion of the new wind farm – as a full-service solution. In doing so, we assume all risks associated with the work. You need not worry about a thing. If you are looking for a trouble-free, risk-free way of upgrading your existing wind farm, and the idea of selling it to some unknown investors is completely unpalatable to you, we are the right people to talk to.

Have a look at how repowering optimises a wind farm

A landscape featuring wind turbines, a sun, clouds, houses, and a cow, with details on turbine dimensions and capacity.
An illustration featuring wind turbines, cows, and houses in a green landscape, depicting wind energy capacity details.

If you own a wind farm, know of a wind project that would benefit from repowering or are unsure whether repowering at your site or on your land is even possible? We are more than happy to have a chat about the best options in each case.

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