A second wind: Unleashing the potential for repowering

Over half of GB’s current onshore wind fleet is expected to face end-of-life decisions by 2035, meaning developers will be facing difficult decisions whether to decommission, life extend or repower. By repowering, an additional 690 MW of onshore wind capacity could be added by 2035, increasing to 6 GW by 2050. However, the ability to capture this opportunity is not guaranteed.

Drawing on real-world examples and industry expertise, Regen’s pioneering paper, produced in association with Nadara and Osborne Clarke, identifies the key challenges that are hindering the effect rollout of repowering and identifies urgent changes to planning, grid, markets, community benefits and a circular economy that could unlock the potential of the existing onshore wind fleet.