Many of the early wind power projects installed in North America are ripe for an upgrade. Wind repowering is a process that involves replacing old wind turbines or their components to capture more energy, improve performance and often requalifying for tax credits.
There are two main types of repowering: full and partial.
- Full repowering: In its simplest form, full repowering involves completely replacing older turbines with newer, more powerful models. This approach can transform aging wind farms with small 1-megawatt turbines with larger 3-to-5-megawatt designs, increasing energy output many times over. Full repowering also allows developers to maximize a site’s existing infrastructure—such as roads, substations, and grid connections—making it a cost-effective strategy.
- Partial repowering: Full repowering isn’t always necessary or cost-effective, while a partial upgrade makes sense. This involves replacing select components like the nacelle or rotor blades, while retaining much of the existing infrastructure and tower. This can still help projects requalify for tax credits, without completely replacing existing structures. 80% of US repowering projects to date have been partial repowerings.
By simply upgrading the rotor blades to larger, lighter designs, a turbine can catch more wind, operate more efficiently, and produce significantly more energy.
Why now?
The economics of wind repowering have become increasingly compelling. Many of the first-generation wind farms are nearing the end of their 20-to-25-year lifespans. With technology advancements, what once required dozens of turbines to achieve now needs only a handful. At the same time, developers can access tax incentives in many regions, making a stronger case for repowering.
Aaron Foyer is Vice President, Research and Analytics at Orennia. Prior to Orennia, he leveraged his technical background in management consulting and finance roles. He has experience across the energy landscape including clean hydrogen, renewables, biofuels, oil and gas, petrochemicals and carbon capture.
