Wind turbines could have larger blades and be made 65 feet taller to circumvent restrictions limiting the expansion of onshore wind farms.
Octopus Energy, which currently powers more than three million UK homes and businesses, says it can provide power for a further half a million by reconfiguring or replacing up to 1,000 turbines, the Telegraph reported.
The average height of an onshore wind turbine in the UK is currently 246ft, according to RenewableUK, but the new plans could see them soar well over 300ft.
It comes as Rishi Sunak, who is in the running to become the next prime minister, said he wanted “to reassure communities” that he scraps plans to relax England’s ban on onshore wind and instead focus on offshore turbines will.
Repowering plans could see wind turbines gain about 25% in height, which Octopus Energy says could help power half a million more homes
Almost 60 per cent of the UK’s wind energy is currently generated by onshore wind turbines, but installation has slowed since David Cameron blocked the technology from receiving subsidies in 2015.
Planning laws have also been amended to give local governments tighter powers over whether onshore wind turbines are built in their areas.
Besides increasing the height of the turbines and the size of the blades, the machines can also be made more powerful by replacing the internal engineering.
A spokesman for Octopus Energy told MailOnline: “Some of them are quite old and the technology has come so far since then. It’s just about making better use of that, and we can do that quickly through repowering.”
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, said the company has teamed up with turbine manufacturer EWT, which will help them replace inefficient machines, many of which are in the north of England, with more powerful models by 2030.
Octopus Energy Generation chief executive Zoisa North-Bond said that given the constraints on building new turbines, repowering existing turbines is key to meeting sustainability goals
According to WindEurope, repowering can triple the electricity output of wind farms, which could be a big step towards increasing the country’s energy security.
Ms North-Bond added: “It could be really essential to our onshore wind strategy if it’s difficult to build more given the current planning constraints.”
Octopus Energy said they will only proceed with repowering if nearby homeowners support the plan.
Almost 60 per cent of UK wind energy is currently generated by onshore wind, with around 9,000 turbines across the country. (Picture from a picture agency)
While some fear the impact of larger turbines on the rural landscape, these households could be able to buy cheaper electricity when the wind blows hard, leading to a much-needed reduction in household bills.
Under the existing “Fan Club” tariff, households living within five to 10 miles of Octopus Energy turbines receive up to a 50 percent discount on their electricity when it’s windy.
Hopeful Rishi Sunak said he will not relax England’s ban on onshore wind. Pictured here at Octopus Energy headquarters in October 2020
This deal currently only applies to customers in Market Weighton, Yorkshire, and Caerphilly, Wales, but the company has previously said it plans to spend around £4 billion over the decade launching fan club projects around the world, of which the Half could take place in Great Britain.
Ms North-Bond added: “There is a huge untapped opportunity to bring power back to wind turbines that have been home to communities for many years.
“This means even more homes can be powered by cheaper, local, green energy, helping to reduce energy bills and ensure energy security.”
A spokesman for Octopus Energy said work to modernize the wind turbines will begin this fall and last until 2030.
Earlier this year, Boris Johnson announced plans to quintuple Britain’s offshore wind energy by the end of the decade, but in its energy security strategy the government said it would not introduce “wholesale changes” to current onshore wind planning rules.
However, last month Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng mooted plans to offer communities up to £350 off their annual energy bills if they agree to build a wind farm nearby.
A Government source said: “There is potential for more onshore wind, but this must be done with community approval.
“In doing so, we believe it is right that the communities are offered a share of the financial rewards.”
