Repowering is the next frontier for renewables in Scotland

Repowering is now the next phase of energy transition, repowering involves replacing and upgrading aging turbines with newer, more efficient models. It holds the key to not only maintaining but significantly expanding Scotland’s renewable energy capacity.

With the Scottish Government’s ambition to double onshore wind capacity to at least 20 GW by 2030, repowering will play a critical role in delivering the additional 12 GW required. This is about more than replacing old turbines; it’s about reimagining Scotland’s energy landscape, rejuvenating existing sites, creating high-quality jobs, and solidifying Scotland’s position as a global leader in clean energy innovation.

Repowering is not just an environmental and cost-efficient success story; it is a cornerstone of Scotland’s energy security. By increasing domestic renewable energy production from existing sites, Scotland can reduce its reliance on imported energy, insulate itself from volatile global energy markets, and ensure a stable, affordable power supply for future generations.

Scaling up: Fewer, larger and more efficient turbines

Early wind farms often consisted of a larger number of relatively small turbines, producing modest amounts of energy. Today, advances in engineering have delivered a new generation of turbines that are not only larger but significantly more efficient. This shift means that repowering projects can achieve higher energy yields with fewer turbines. For example, a site that previously hosted 20 older turbines may now require only 10 state-of-the-art models to produce double or even triple the energy output.

These modern turbines are not only more efficient but also quieter and better integrated into the landscape. Repowering allows Scotland to maximise the value of its established grid connections and wind-rich locations. These sites have already demonstrated their viability and are often accompanied by robust community support, compared to increasing calls for a halt to the carpeting of swathes of the English countryside with solar panels. We can breathe new life into these sites and achieve greater energy production without the need for entirely new wind farm developments.

The importance of energy security has never been more evident. Recent geopolitical instability and global supply chain disruptions have demonstrated the risks of over-reliance on external energy sources. By repowering its wind farms, Scotland can take a critical step toward a more resilient, reliable energy system that is less exposed to external stress.

Ensuring Scotland is part of the conversation

Repowering represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a Scottish Champion in the renewable energy maintenance sector — an organisation that can lead the charge in delivering high-quality repowering projects while securing long-term economic benefits for Scotland. Companies like my own, European Green Transition (EGT), a UK publicly listed company, are deeply invested in this vision.

By acquiring and supporting businesses with expertise in repowering, we aim to drive Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions forward. One such example is Earthmill, a company we’ve recently acquired with a base near Livingston. By positioning Scotland as a hub for repowering expertise, we can attract investment, drive innovation, and export our skills and technology to other nations. Placing Scotland’s workforce at the heart of the green transition Aberdeen, long synonymous with the oil and gas industry, stands poised to play a central role in delivering this green revolution. With the right investment in upskilling and retraining, we can transition the region’s highly skilled workforce from fossil fuels to renewables.

The expertise of Aberdeen’s workers in engineering, project management, and offshore operations is unmatched. These skills are directly transferable to the renewable energy sector, particularly in repowering projects that demand high levels of technical expertise. By investing in training programmes and partnerships with local institutions, we can ensure that the people of Aberdeen are at the heart of Scotland’s renewable energy future.

The UK Government’s 2025 onshore wind strategy has already provided a much-needed boost to the sector, particularly in England, where a nine-year de facto ban on onshore wind development had stifled progress. Streamlining the planning process while maintaining environmental safeguards will be crucial to accelerating progress, with repowering often facing the same lengthy and complex planning processes as entirely new developments.

A focus on sourcing components and services locally can maximise the economic benefits of repowering projects for Scottish businesses and communities. Clear, consistent policies and financial incentives will encourage private investment in repowering projects, enabling faster deployment of new technology.

Energy security must also remain a central priority as Scotland transitions. Repowering is not only a route to meeting renewable energy targets but also a safeguard against future energy crises, helping ensure Scotland’s homes, businesses, and industries have access to clean, reliable, and affordable power.

By investing in companies like Earthmill, we are not only supporting the transition to a cleaner, greener future but also securing long-term economic benefits for Scotland. With 2.5 GW of existing wind capacity set to reach the end of its consented life within the next decade, the decisions we make today will shape the energy landscape of tomorrow. Scotland has the wind, the expertise, and the vision. It’s time to repower our future.

Cathal Friel, Co-founder and Executive Chair of European Green Transition, a London-listed publicly traded company focused on acquiring, integrating and optimising revenue-generating and profitable services businesses in the critical infrastructure sector across the UK and Ireland