The Project
When our client at Netherton Farm was looking for a way to diversify income, we recommended a refurbished wind turbine. While developers will still make money from a new turbine, you’ll make more money with a better package when opting for a refurbished turbine.
“If you could get the same machine for half the price, why would you not?” says Beth Girvan, Lead Project Consultant.
The Challenge
Netherton Farm wanted to diversify its income by installing a wind turbine to export power back to the grid. The challenge was that it was a brand-new site, so they couldn’t rely on subsidies such as a Feed-in Tariff. Because they needed something large and powerful, a new machine was shaping up to be extremely expensive. A cost-effective option was vital.
Another challenge was the location of the turbine: it was going to be in an area already populated by numerous turbines. So we had to prove that noise wouldn’t be an issue.
The Solution
Since the site has a low-cost grid connection and good wind speeds, Netherton Farm was keen to make use of this in a way that made the most financial sense. We put forward the idea of a refurbished turbine: the Vestas V52.
Choosing a refurbished machine reduces the upfront cost but ensures the same high power as a new model, opening the developer up to an opportunity that might not be viable otherwise.
We drove this project forward for our client, arranging grid connection, choosing the right turbine and securing planning consent.
For the application, the most technically complex aspect was the noise assessment. The biggest challenge came from the site's location. With the proposed turbine surrounded by existing wind farms and individual turbines – each with specific and complex noise conditions attached to the consents – there was very little margin for error when it came to noise. We had to prove that adding this new turbine would not create unacceptable noise levels for nearby residents.
Using specialist modelling, we carried out a detailed assessment that reflected how sound would behave in real-world conditions, rather than relying only on cautious assumptions. Using Directivity calculations and background noise data from key sources, we were able to demonstrate that the proposed turbine would be able to meet the very strict cumulative noise limits.
“Even when there are complex assessments to do, we keep it simple for our clients,” says Dave Anderson, Director. “All you need to do is come to us with an idea. We’ll organise everything, and you get your planning permission at the end. You don’t have to do anything else.”
The Outcome
The planning authority was confident with the planning application and environmental assessments – and they approved the development.
As for Netherton Farm, the turbine operates as a standalone, export-only asset, creating a new income stream for them.
With a 50% reduction in upfront cost compared to buying a Vestas V52 brand-new, due to the high on-site wind speeds, low grid connection costs, and the machine producing around 2 million kWh annually, the payback period is approximately 4.8 years.
The refurbished option also includes:
- A 20-year warranty, covering parts and labour
- Compensation if the turbine is down for more than 48 hours, protecting against lost revenue
- Managed by a team of experienced engineers who look after the turbine
“It’s an easy money maker with minimal effort from the client,” says Beth Girvan.
Investing in wind with refurbished turbines
Wind isn’t dead. While Feed-in Tariffs haven’t been open to new applicants since 2019, it’s still worth investing in turbines as a renewable energy source. This project proves that.
“Refurbished turbines are a serious, modern option. You’re not compromising on anything. You get high output with an excellent package and great insurance. It’s 100% worth looking into when considering how to diversify income, even on a brand-new site,” says Beth Girvan.
Have a new site and want to diversify income? Get in touch with our team to discuss refurbished turbines.