What is repowering?
Repowering refers to the renewal of renewable energy infrastructures such as wind farms or photovoltaic power plants that have reached the end of their operational life.
In its report entitled "Wind farm renewal: what strategies are possible and feasible for onshore wind farms at the end of their operational life", published in 2020, ADEME considers that repowering is one of the key solutions for meeting commitments in terms of reducing emissions and the energy mix.
As pioneers of repowering, we pay particular attention to cultivating and sharing our expertise by publishing studies, writing articles and organising conferences. We are also delighted to be leading a cross-industry working group dedicated to the development of this activity within France Renouvelables.
With this in mind, we have been publishing our Repowering Guide every autumn since 2021. This tool, which is accessible to all, will help you to discover repowering, its particularities, news and challenges.
Download our Repowering Guide
For private individuals and public authorities
- It enables the capacity of a wind farm to be increased in order to meet the commitments of the EPP.
- It enables new installations to be built on the basis of feedback from many years of operation.
- It guarantees that new installations comply with current regulations.
Q ENERGY began working on wind farm renewals in 2016, with the repowering of Souleilla-Corbières, the first wind farm developed and built by Q ENERGY in 1999.
Located in a Météo France radar protection zone, which restricts the configuration and dimensions of the 16 wind turbines in the park, Q ENERGY has opted for an "identical" renewal, i.e. with no change in dimensions but with a request for an increase in capacity to 24 MW compared with the current 20.8 MW. This change will result in an increase in annual production of almost 20% (11.5 GWh/year).
After just three months of appraisal, the project was officially authorised by the authorities in early 2018. Cleared of all appeals and winner of a CRE call for tenders at the end of 2019, Q ENERGY began the dismantling phase in summer 2022 and plans to commission the new wind turbines at the end of 2023.
Gérard LUCIEN, Mayor of Treilles
"New-generation wind turbines that benefit from the latest technological advances will replace the current wind turbines at the end of their service life, thereby ensuring better electricity production. This will enable the site to make a more effective contribution to national targets for renewable energy production. For our municipality, the repowering will enable us to maintain a certain level of financial comfort, thereby contributing to the "good life in Treilles" through investments that are always geared towards its population, all generations included."
Discover the repowering process on video and find details of other key projects in our Repowering Guide.
04/10 - 05/10. Paris
Colloque National Eolien
- Booth 63
- Speaker: Repowering - Overcoming regulatory constraints for a smooth transition.
- Speaker: Round table discussion on careers
15/11. Berlin
OFATE onshore wind conference
- Speaker : Feedback on repowering in France: prerequisites, challenges and prospects.
