Elicio repowers one of its earliest wind farms. More than twenty years after the first turbines started operating in Bruges, the seven existing wind turbines will be replaced by four new units. Through this repowering project, Elicio is preparing the site for the future: fewer turbines will together generate roughly twice as much renewable energy. The announcement comes on Global Wind Day, an annual moment to highlight the power and future of wind energy worldwide.

From Pioneer Project to Wind Farm of the Future

Wind Farm Bruges III holds a special place within Elicio’s portfolio. Operational since 2004, it is one of the group’s earliest wind farms. These first-generation wind turbines have made a significant contribution to the local green energy supply. As they eventually reached the end of their operational lifespan, the repowering of the wind farm was initiated, with the dismantling of the original installation as the first step.

First Large-Scale Repowering: A Milestone for Elicio

For Elicio, Brugge III represents an important milestone. It is the group’s first large-scale repowering project and it marks a new phase in the ongoing development of its wind farm portfolio.

From Seven to Four Turbines. Yet Twice the Energy.

The seven existing turbines will be replaced by four new units equipped with the latest technology. Although the number of turbines will decrease, they will generate approximately twice as much renewable energy as the current wind farm: increasing from 23 GWh to 45.7 GWh per year. This will enable the upgraded wind farm to supply green electricity to around 13,000 households.

According to the current planning, the new wind farm is expected to be operational by summer 2027.

Recycling & Circularity.

For the Bruges wind farm, Elicio is committed to sustainable and carefully considered recycling, in partnership with Business in Wind. Thanks to their expertise, components are recycled and reused to the greatest extent possible. Where feasible, parts are given a second life as repair and maintenance parts, or in more creative applications such as noise barriers, playground equipment, or furniture. When reuse is not possible, materials are processed by a specialized partner.

The Next Generation of Elicio Wind Farms

With the repowering of Bruges, Elicio is taking an important step in the renewal of its existing wind farms. In the coming years, the company will continue to explore how older sites can be transformed into wind farms of the future through new technologies.

Several repowering projects are currently in development:

In Belgium, a permit was recently obtained for the repowering of one of the wind turbines at the wind farm in Zedelgem. Once all appeal procedures have been completed, the existing 2 MW turbine will be replaced by a modern 6 MW turbine. A permit application for the 6 MW wind farm in Bastogne will also be submitted shortly, with the aim of increasing the installed capacity by 50%.

Important progress has also been made in France regarding the repowering of older wind farms in Brittany. A repowering project for one of our existing wind farms is planned for 2027. For two other wind farms in the Côtes-d'Armor and Morbihan departments, permits have already been obtained, while permit applications for others are still ongoing.