Repowering Germany

A significant efficiency booster for this energy transition is known as repowering. This involves replacing old installations with modern turbine technology. In Germany, more than 10,000 wind turbines are over 20 years old, which means they fall out of the guaranteed feed-in tariff system established by the Renewable Energy Sources Act. Together, these installations account for a capacity of 11.5 GW. To replace this capacity with state-of-the-art technology, only slightly more than 1,600 new turbines would be needed. Thus, repowering promises fewer turbines and greater output.

When a new wind park is established on the site of an old one, it typically means that developers must manage a deconstruction and reconstruction project.

The largest onshore wind farm in Germany in Siemens Gamesa’s history will produce approximately 235 GWh of electricity per year, enough to supply 67,000 households. The new turbines not only offer economic advantages but also provide added value for nature and local residents. Siemens Gamesa has assessed the ecological balance of its turbines based on a 25-year lifespan in a European model wind farm. According to this assessment, the modern turbines installed at the Elster project will generate 48 times more energy than is consumed during their production, installation, and operation.

The new turbines, with a hub height of 165 m, rotate their blades not only at heights where the wind is steadier and stronger but also above the normal flight altitude of many birds and bats. The large rotor also makes the rotation appear smoother.

The old sites are also interesting because public acceptance of wind energy projects is higher where installations are already in place. In a survey conducted by the Agency for Wind and Solar Energy in Germany, nearly 80% of respondents reported being satisfied with the turbines near them. Acceptance is lower among people who do not have wind turbines in their vicinity. However, not every site can be repowered, as new turbines are significantly larger and must maintain distances from residential areas. Since 2023, the share of repowering in newly installed capacity in Germany has however remained consistently above 30 percent.

Currently, Germany stands out positively in Europe with an average approval duration of 18 months. In 2024, projects with a volume of 14 GW were approved, which can now participate in tenders. The investment climate for wind energy in Germany is favorable at the moment, but continuity is crucial in terms of framework conditions, permitting speed and volume visibility to ensure long-term economic planning security for developers and manufacturers.

Siemens Gamesa supports the energy transition step by step through innovations that enhance efficiency and environmental protection. With the RecyclableBlade and the GreenerTower, Siemens Gamesa is leading the way in circular economy, increasing the recycling rate to over 95%, while the green steel tower reduces CO2 emissions by more than 60%. At the same time, the new turbine technology, with a rated capacity of 7 MW, offers an additional boost in performance.

Would you like to learn more about Onshore Wind in Germany, visit us from September 16-19 at #HusumWind Hall 3 B04.  When a new wind park is established on the site of an old one, it typically means that developers must manage a deconstruction and reconstruction project.