Nadara accelerates UK repowering with community-led approach
Advancing UK repowering through local partnerships
The repowering of Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm was formally approved by Argyll & Bute Council’s Planning Committee.
Scoping submission forthcoming for Lambrigg Repowering and Extension - the first Nadara English repowering project.
Milestones cement Nadara’s approach to development - combining clean energy generation with long-term value and engagement with host communities.
Nadara, a leading NextGen Independent Power Producer (IPP+) is accelerating the repowering of its UK onshore wind portfolio, with progress at Beinn Ghlas and Lambrigg demonstrating the potential that existing renewable energy sites present for clean power generation and host communities.
The milestones underline Nadara’s growing role in the UK’s repowering market and its commitment to building long standing relationships with its host communities - ensuring that its portfolio delivers clean power as well as lasting local value.
Today Argyll and Bute Council’s Planning Committee approved plans by Nadara to replace the existing turbines at Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm with up to seven modern turbines. The proposals to give the wind farm a new lease of life will increase its installed capacity by four times its current capabilities.
The plans were the subject of extensive consultation, with almost 90% of the representations received expressing support for the proposals. The project is set to deliver a range of social and economic benefits, including a community benefit fund valued at over £5m (index linked) over the lifetime of the wind farm.
Finley Becks-Phelps, Head of Business Development UK & Nordics commented:
“Successful repowering isn't just replacing old turbines with new ones. It's about building on the relationships that have been in place between a community and a wind farm for the past twenty or so years and bringing them on the repowering journey with you. Beinn Ghlas and Lambrigg are fantastic examples of how we are putting this approach into practice.
“As more of the UK’s first generation of wind farms reach the point where decisions need to be made about their future, Nadara is committed to leading by example, putting responsible, community-focussed repowering into practice.”
In England, Nadara is moving forward with proposals to repower and extend Lambrigg Wind Farm and is expected to submit a Scoping Report to Westmorland and Furness Council in the coming days. The proposals would replace five of the existing turbines with seven modern turbines, increasing the site's generating capacity sixfold.
As Nadara’s first repowering project in England, the submission marks a significant milestone in the company’s ambition to help shape the next generation of onshore wind UK-wide.
Both projects are progressing with a focus on understanding and responding to the needs and priorities of the local community - placing early, meaningful engagement at the forefront of its development approach - ensuring that all projects secure long-term local support, social and economic benefits.
Nadara operates 44 onshore wind farms across the UK, with more than 1GW of installed capacity, including some of the country’s earliest wind farms. Almost a quarter of its UK sites are now at various stages of repowering, with the company estimating that repowering its ageing UK portfolio could generate enough additional electricity to power up to three million homes.
With the UK at risk of losing up to 9GW of existing onshore wind capacity by 2050 as older wind farms reach the end of their operational lives, repowering offers an opportunity to retain existing renewable energy capacity while significantly increasing the clean electricity generated from established sites.