Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 13, RWE has begun upgrading its Muel wind farm in Spain’s Aragon region, close to Zaragoza. The project involves removing 27 older wind turbines, which together provided 16.2 megawatts (MW) of capacity, and installing three advanced 6.6 MW turbines. This will boost the site’s total capacity to 19.8 MW. The Muel wind farm stands out as one of the earliest onshore projects in the area to undergo such a thorough modernization.

Global Energy Services (GES), a Spanish renewable energy company, has taken on the construction role and started preparatory work. The revamped Muel wind farm is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025. RWE has also finalized a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a buyer whose identity remains undisclosed.

Katja Wünschel, chief executive of RWE Renewables Europe and Australia, commented: “It is time to say farewell to the 27 turbines of our old Muel wind farm. They have reliably generated green electricity for 27 years, producing a total of 800 gigawatt hours. But this is not the end of the road for many of the components. As circularity and zero waste are key objectives at RWE, some of the components will be refurbished and reused in our wind fleet, others recovered and even the blades will be recycled and get a new purpose. Soon we will be welcoming the new three state-of-the-art turbines, which will replace the old ones and increase installed capacity. A perfect example of the cost-effective expansion of wind energy in Spain.”

The original turbines were disconnected from the grid at the end of March after 27 years of operation. RenerCycle, a company focused on sustainable solutions, is handling the dismantling process. Of the old components, 1,350 will be refurbished for use in other RWE wind farms, while 1,825 metric tonnes of ferrous material will be recovered. Overall, 95% of the materials will be recycled, including all 81 blades, which will be processed at the Waste2Fiber recycling plant in Lumbier, a joint project by Acciona Energía and RenerCycle.

This repowering effort enhances the Muel wind farm’s efficiency and capacity while prioritizing resource reuse. The shift from 27 smaller turbines to three larger, modern ones reflects a practical approach to expanding renewable energy output in Spain. By late 2025, the upgraded facility will contribute more clean energy to the region, building on its long history near Zaragoza.

The project aligns with broader goals of sustainability and cost efficiency. RWE’s focus on recycling and refurbishing components ensures minimal waste, while the increased capacity supports growing energy demands. The collaboration with GES and RenerCycle underscores a commitment to local expertise and innovative practices in Aragon’s renewable sector.