Time to Power Up: Gael Energy's Managing Director Shares Insights on Strategically Upgrading Ageing Wind Turbines

Time to power up?

A key growth area for Gael Energy, highlighted below by our Managing Director Hamish Campbell, is Repowering. Our skilled team is at the forefront of this practice, which involves a proactive approach to the strategic upgrade or replacement of ageing wind turbines with more efficient modern models, resulting in a better return on investment.

“We’re pretty obsessed with enhancing wind energy efficiency for operators, and Repowering is at the centre of it. Repowered turbines not only generate more electricity from the same wind speeds but also benefit from reduced downtime and maintenance costs. It’s a vital new component in helping the wind energy sector achieve its potential and enabling owners to maximise their long-term return on investment.”

A great opportunity

Repowering is a relatively new practice in the sub-1MW market, with the accepted view that a wind turbine’s lifecycle is 25-30 years. However, with rapid technological advancements, older turbines are quickly becoming less productive compared to newer models and more costly to maintain. While upgrading these turbines was previously not straightforward, recent regulatory changes now allow for repowering FIT and ROC-accredited wind turbines with machines of significantly greater capacity.

“Repowering provides a great opportunity, and it’s something we discuss with turbine owners across the country on a daily basis. Owners no longer want to passively wait to upgrade their turbines when repowering can bring immediate, tangible benefits. Beyond enhanced energy outputs and reliability, owners can also take advantage of advanced software controls and innovative remote monitoring systems that new turbines offer.”

To discuss repowering your turbine or for any other O&M enquiries, please contact us at Tel: 01349 204154 or E: info@gaelenergy.co.uk.