Repowering in France: VSB increases energy yield at Les Vents Meuse Sud wind farm by around 30 per cent

Five older wind turbines are being replaced by four modern units, yet electricity generation will increase significantly. At the Les Vents Meuse Sud wind farm in Saint-Aubin-sur-Aire, the dismantling of the existing turbines has now been completed. VSB France is now installing four Nordex N117 turbines with a total capacity of 12 megawatts. Commissioning is scheduled for early 2027.

The repowered wind farm is expected to generate around 30 per cent more electricity than before. The project demonstrates the potential offered by modern turbine technology at existing sites: higher energy yields, fewer turbines and the continued use of existing infrastructure. At the same time, the VSB Group is systematically expanding its repowering activities across Europe.

The wind farm was commissioned in 2007 and 2008 and previously comprised five Nordex N90 turbines with a total capacity of 11.7 megawatts. Following approval of the repowering project in 2021, dismantling work began in early 2026. MDWind, a European specialist in the dismantling and recovery of wind turbines, assessed the removed components to determine whether they could be reused. Suitable parts are to be given a second life, while the rotor blades were shredded and sent for specialist recovery and recycling.

Repowering as a strategic growth driver
VSB France has pursued repowering as a strategic growth area since 2018 and now has more than 100 megawatts of approved projects, both for its own portfolio and on behalf of third parties. In the longer term, repowering projects are expected to account for five to ten per cent of VSB France’s new wind energy projects.

Repowering is also one of the VSB Group’s key areas of activity across Europe. This is demonstrated by the Elster and Löberitz projects currently under construction in Germany: once completed, the projected energy yield at Elster is expected to increase more than sevenfold, while at Löberitz it is set to rise around tenfold.

“Repowering represents a major opportunity for existing wind energy sites and the regions in which they are located. It allows us to increase electricity generation significantly while reducing the number of turbines,” explains Maël Lagarde, Managing Director of VSB France. “That is precisely what we are implementing in Saint-Aubin-sur-Aire. For us, this is the first repowering project in France to enter the construction phase, while also marking the starting point for further projects.”

“With the repowering of the Les Vents Meuse Sud wind farm, VSB France is bringing the VSB Group’s long-standing experience to the French market. Projects such as Elster and Löberitz demonstrate the potential of repowering: increased electricity generation, more efficient use of existing land and fewer turbines. Repowering will play a central role in the continued transformation of Europe’s energy landscape,” adds Dr Felix Grolman, CEO of the VSB Group. 
 

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