Despite facing political and economic challenges,the onshore wind industry is finding new opportunities in repowering older wind farms.This involves replacing outdated turbines with newer, more efficient models, extending the lifespan and increasing the energy output of existing wind energy facilities.

However, the wind industry faces several hurdles:

• Political Opposition: President Trump issued an executive order halting permits for new onshore wind projects on federal land and new offshore wind leases.
• Supply Chain Issues: The industry has been hit hard by supply chain snags and price increases.
• Public Concerns: Residents have expressed concerns about environmental hazards, decreased property values, aesthetics, and general anti-renewables sentiment.

Repowering as a Radiant Spot

Repowering is emerging as a key strategy for the wind industry, providing a much-needed boost to market leaders such as GE Vernova, Vestas, and Siemens Gamesa, a subsidiary of Munich-based Siemens Energy. These companies have reported revenue increases in 2024, with GE Vernova and Siemens stock showing positive movement.

GE Vernova led overall onshore wind installations in 2024, capturing 56% of the U.S. market, followed by vestas (40%) and siemens Gamesa (4%).

RWE’s Repowering Projects in Texas

RWE, a major renewable energy company, is actively involved in repowering projects. One example is the Forest Creek wind farm in Texas, originally commissioned in 2006. The project involves replacing 54 Siemens Gamesa turbines with 45 new GE Vernova turbines, extending the wind farm’s life by another 30 years.

Simultaneously, RWE and GE Vernova are partnering on a new wind farm adjacent to Forest Creek, adding another 64 turbines.When complete, RWE will deliver a total of 308 MW of wind energy to the region.

It’s great to see our wind generation drive the all-of-the-above energy approach.
Andrew Flanagan, CEO of RWE

Flanagan noted that the combined projects are related to increased electricity demands from the area’s oil and gas production. The repower project alone will employ 250 construction workers at its peak and bring in $30 million in local tax revenue over its operating period.

Other Key Repowering Projects

• MidAmerican’s Rolling Hills wind Farm: Siemens Gamesa repowered this expansive wind farm in Iowa, replacing 193 older turbines with 163 higher-capacity models.
• RWE’s Champion Wind Farm: Siemens Gamesa is upgrading 41 of its turbines with new blades and nacelles and adding six new turbines to this 127-MW wind farm in West Texas.
• clearway’s Mount Storm Wind Farm: Clearway announced an agreement with Vestas to repower its Mount Storm Wind farm in west Virginia, replacing 132 existing turbines with 78 new models, resulting in an 85% increase in electricity generation with 40% fewer turbines.

Recycling and Sustainability

Repowering also invigorates the recycling industry for decommissioned turbine components, including blades, steel, copper, and aluminum. Most operational turbines are 85% to 95% recyclable, and OEMs are designing 100% recyclable models.

Companies like Carbon Rivers and Veolia North America are developing technologies to recycle blades,which are typically made from fiberglass and carbon fiber. Carbon Rivers recovers materials to produce new composites,while veolia reconstitutes shredded blades into fuel for cement manufacturers.

veolia’s general manager of engineered fuels, David Araujo, stated that Veolia has processed approximately 6,500 wind blades at a facility in Missouri and expanded its processing capabilities to meet demand.

Economic and Geopolitical Factors

The wind industry faces challenges from import tariffs, notably the 25% levy on steel and aluminum. Though, the onshore wind industry has reduced geopolitical risks through a strong domestic manufacturing base.

The onshore wind industry has done a really good job of reducing geopolitical risks.
John Hensley, senior vice president for markets and policy analysis at the American Clean Power Association

Hensley noted that the investment in domestic manufacturing provides some risk mitigation to these tariffs.

Meeting Growing Electricity Demand

Repowering can play a crucial role in meeting the nation’s exponentially growing demand for electricity. The U.S. is expecting a 35% to 50% increase in electricity demand between now and 2040.

We’re expecting a 35% to 50% increase between now and 2040, which is just unbelievable.it’s like adding a new Louisiana to the grid every year for 15 years.
John Hensley, senior vice president for markets and policy analysis at the American Clean Power Association

GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik compared the growth of the U.S.’s electric load to the infrastructure buildout following World War II.

You’ve got to go back to 1945 and the end of World War II, that’s the infrastructure buildout that we’re going to have.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova

As OEMs and wind farm developers face rising capital costs and political headwinds, repowering offers a pathway for delivering more electrons to the grid while minimizing some of these challenges.

Repowering offers a pathway for delivering more electrons to the grid in a way that sidesteps or at least minimizes some of the challenges associated with all these issues.
John Hensley, senior vice president for markets and policy analysis at the American Clean Power Association