Bigger onshore wind turbines and hybrid projects to become the norm?

Renewable energy has evolved so much since the first wind turbines were installed and as some of those first turbines come to the end of their term, developers are looking at how to replace them with more efficient turbines and how they can integrate other renewables into it. 

Fred. Olsen Renewables, for example, is exploring the potential to repower the first phase of Crystal Rig I onshore wind farm, located in East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.  

The first phase of turbines at Crystal Rig have been operational now for over 20 years,  and Fred.Olsen Renewables is looking to decommission the 25 x 100m (to tip) turbines and replace them with up to 10 x 250m (to tip) turbines. It is also exploring the potential of Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage on the site.  

Following the change in Planning Policy in Scotland (NPF4), the grid reform and fluctuation in renewable energy income, there appears to be an increasing trend of larger wind turbines being proposed along with co-location and hybrid projects, in Scotland.