Experts unite to talk next generation power
Getting the renewables equation right for everyone isn’t easy, says Steven King
Many of Scotland's earliest onshore wind projects were developed decades ago. So, as these turbines reach the end of their operational lifespan, developers, landowners and communities face important decisions about what comes next. With net zero deadlines on the horizon, the pressure for clean energy generation continues to increase.
Repowering offers an opportunity to replace older infrastructure with newer, more efficient technologies that can generate more energy from the same site while helping to meet these net zero targets. The core aim is to extend the lifespan of a renewable energy site, improve its efficiency and produce more energy than before.
Modern turbines are larger, more powerful and more efficient than those installed more than 20 years ago. In many cases, fewer turbines can generate more electricity, allowing us to maximise the potential of these already established sites, making good use of existing infrastructure and grid connections. However, repowering is about much more than just replacing aging turbines. Many renewable energy projects were developed in the early 2000s and since then, technology has advanced significantly, the demand for energy has grown and we have increasingly ambitious decarbonisation targets. As a result, existing renewable energy sites can have an even greater role in supporting this transition to a low carbon future.
As the policy landscape continues to evolve, governments are interested in accelerating renewable energy deployment while balancing environmental considerations, planning requirements and community interests. For those involved in the sector, understanding how these changing policies may affect future repowering projects has become even more important.
Community expectations have also evolved significantly in the past 20 years. When many of Scotland's renewable energy projects were first developed, discussions around community benefits were often very different to those taking place today. Communities want to understand not only how projects contribute to national energy targets, but how they create meaningful and lasting local value. As a result, there is growing pressure on developers to show that the benefits of renewable energy projects are reaching the wider community. From community benefit funding and local investment opportunities to engagement, long-term partnerships and, more recently, community ownership, ensuring communities share in the success of renewable energy developments is becoming an increasingly important part of the repowering conversation.
Repowering also raises a range of practical questions. How can existing sites continue to deliver value for local communities? What planning and consenting challenges need to be addressed? How can developers balance the opportunities presented by new technology with environmental and community considerations? How has the landscape changed in the context of land requirements for access and equipment delivery? These are complex issues with no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why repowering has become one of the most significant topics facing the renewable energy sector today.
Harper Macleod is hosting the Natural Futures Summit on 15 September 2026 in Inverness. Our repowering discussion will explore the drivers behind repowering, the opportunities it creates and the challenges it presents. Experts from across the sector will consider the policy context, community perspectives and the realities shaping the next generation of renewable energy projects.
Whether you are a developer, landowner, investor, adviser or public sector stakeholder, the session will provide valuable insight into a rapidly evolving area that is set to play an important role in Scotland's energy future.
Register to join us online at this link.
Steven King is a Partner at Harper Macleod