Power generation company Nadara has announced a ‘sustainable decommissioning strategy’ at the Beinn Ghlas wind farm in Argyll, Scotland, as it starts planning to repower the site with new turbines.
Beinn Ghlas began operations in May 1999, making it one of the oldest wind farms in the UK. The 25-year-old site comprises 14 Bonus (B44/600) wind turbines that together have a capacity of 8.4MW. Nadara expects to submit an application for consent to replace the existing turbines with new, larger and more efficient turbines, substantially increasing the generating capacity of the site.
The company said the sustainable decommissioning strategy was developed in partnership with specialist wind turbine decommissioning service Reblade. Reblade said focuses on circularity, creating more sustainable supply chains and enhancing socio-economic benefits during the decommissioning process. It said its service is designed around pragmatic material management protocols with a strong focus on circularity and sustainability.
As well as providing decommissioning consultancy and onsite works, the company designs and manufactures public realm infrastructure, such as canopies and bus shelters, from decommissioned wind turbine blades that would otherwise go to landfill.