Case study: Wind Repowering
Case study: Wind Repowering
Repowering a portfolio of wind turbines in Northern Ireland
In 2024, Bluefield concluded the repowering of a portfolio of wind turbines located in Northern Ireland.
Referred to as Project Maximus, the repowering took advantage of the site’s pre-existing grid connections, enhancing the lifespan of the turbines and electricity generation by modifying the technology used on site, replacing older and smaller turbines with newer and larger versions de-rated to the accredited Ofgem capacity.
How we approach revamping and repowering
A tailwind for clean energy
14
Repowered turbines
500 kW
Replacement turbines
2.5x
Additional generation
c25 years
Added to turbine lifespan
Optimising onshore efficiency
The project saw the acquisition of a portfolio of ageing wind assets in Northern Ireland with a view to repowering a selection of the turbines to achieve greater energy yields and improved financial outputs.
Commencing in 2021, Bluefield’s asset management and monitoring teams worked with a local developer to identify repowering opportunities, while the commercial and investment teams carried out an economic appraisal of the project.
This process identified fourteen turbines that were immediately suitable for repowering, with three additional turbines highlighted as being potentially viable for future repowering works.
The repowering works consisted of replacing the existing turbines with significantly larger (500 kW) machines, capable of generating a significantly higher energy yield while operating at a lower capacity, thereby preserving the asset’s longevity.
As a result of the works, which concluded in early 2024, the turbines generated an average of 2.5 times more energy than they had prior to being repowered, which represented a significant upgrade on the site’s existing output and efficiency levels.
The supportive economic environment in Northern Ireland meant that the project benefitted from long-term government backed contracted revenues, which provided additional value to investors.
Our repowering portfolio in Northern Ireland has been a really successful example of not only doubling the amount of generation but also extending the lives of existing windfarms. We believe that repowering is an emerging trend that will continue to grow in importance and become a critical pathway to achieving renewable energy targets.
