The UK needs clean energy growth but planning permission for renewable energy projects is long and complex. Repowering provides an opportunity for renewable growth using existing sites.
What is repowering?
Repowering happens when a power project is modernised (BMWK). For example when an older model wind turbine is upgraded or (retrofitted) replaced with a new model. Revamping brings the project back to its original capacity whereas repowering boosts the project (BayWa r.e.).
Repowering typically happens at the end of the original design life span of 25-30 years (Thrive Renewables). The technology has improved in that time and smaller, less efficient wind turbines can be replaced by larger, more powerful turbines.
This increases site capacity and can sometimes take less space. For example when Thrive Renewables repowered their Caton Moor site in 2006, the upgrade increased the power yield of the site seven-fold to 47 million units of electricity a year.
The benefit of repowering is that the owners can leverage some of the existing technology and the site to generate more power. The application for planning permission is likely to be smoother as the site will continue to be used for the same purposes.
Planning permission for onshore wind
Planning permission for onshore wind farms has been a hitch in the UK’s development of renewable power sources for some time.
In 2006, renewable energy groups told the government that planning rules introduced in 2005 were a ‘de facto ban’ on onshore wind (GOV UK). They wanted the government to align the rules with those for other energy projects to enable the UK to meet net zero targets by 2050.
Working against them, conservation groups raised the issues relating to visual impact on landscapes and the potential for harm to countryside of ‘inappropriately sited’ schemes.
The laws changed in 2016 to devolve responsibility for onshore wind to local planning authorities (LPAs). In 2023 the policy on locations for onshore wind were updated so that they could be identified in a number of ways (not just on an area development plan). And the policy on replacement wind turbines was changed to differentiate them from new projects.
In England, decisions are made by LPAs. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the body that approves wind farms is dependent on the size of the project. Wales has designated areas for wind farms where the granting of consent is presumed. Scotland updated the policies in February 2023 to support new and repowered wind farms.
Why repowering is sustainable
“Onshore wind is currently one of the cleanest, cheapest and quickest ways to generate electricity” (Thrive Renewables).
Increasing onshore wind will improve our energy security making us less dependent on fossil fuels.
The UK needs increased capacity to meet the target of 30 gigawatts of wind power by 2030, but the number of sites that are suitable is finite. Repowering brings increased capacity to the same size site without the need to find a new location. Added to that, the UK will lose 9GW of electricity by 2040 if it does not make plans to replace turbines that are at end of life via repowering (RenewableUK).
Repowering is not without issues. The national grid cannot always accept additional capacity from upgraded wind farms. And planning for repowering projects is not always granted.
Repowering
Repowering is a good option for the UK to increase renewable energy capacity while at the same time avoiding the use of new locations. Renewable energy schemes need the support of the government and local planning authorities to make this happen.
Thrive Renewables provides investors with the opportunity to invest in renewable energy projects across the UK. These include new wind, solar, geothermal and battery storage projects. They also fund repowering of existing schemes.
Always seek the advice of an independent financial advisor before making any investments.
