Community engagement
The wind farm, located in the province of Zeeland, has been operational since 2002, with its ten strategically positioned turbines supplying clean electricity to over 5,000 households. It is a joint venture involving Zeeuwind, a local private investor and Triodos Energy Transition Europe Fund. Zeeuwind, the largest renewable energy cooperative in the Netherlands with 3,400 committed members, is a prime example of how community engagement and involvement can help promote local renewable energy projects.

Sonja de Ruiter, fund manager of Triodos Energy Transition Europe Fund: “Over its lifespan, the Willem-Annapolder wind farm has significantly reduced CO2 emissions, with an estimated 132,000 tonnes of emissions saved and a total production of 19 GWh of renewable energy. While already impressive, advancements in wind turbine technology now allows us to elevate these achievements to an entirely new level.”
Boasting five times the capacity
The repowering of the wind farm involves replacing the existing ten turbines with four new, technologically advanced turbines, each boasting five times the capacity of the original models. This upgrade will enable the wind farm to generate more than three times as much electricity, greatly enhancing its efficiency and output. By increasing the capacity of each turbine, the repowered wind project will supply more renewable energy to the region, powering a substantially higher number of households and businesses with clean electricity.
Additionally, from an investment perspective, the Willem-Annapolder wind farm presents an attractive opportunity due to the existing infrastructure. De Ruiter: “As the connection to the energy network, typically a significant cost item, is already established, the initial capital expenditure is lower, which enhances the project’s overall return on investment.”
Embracing circularity
Repowering is not just about increasing output - it’s also about embracing circularity and reducing waste. De Ruiter: “At least 90% of the materials from decommissioned turbines are recycled, ensuring that valuable resources are reused rather than discarded. The turbine blades - remaining 10% - are a challenge. These are made of composite materials such as fibreglass and resin, which have proven to be a durable solution in operations yet are difficult to break down and be made suitable for re-use. Together with Zeeuwind, we are therefore exploring options to find a solution to achieve 100% recyclability in repowering projects, in line with the fund's broader sustainability strategy.”
This repowering project exemplifies how repowering fits into the broader investment strategy of Triodos Energy Transition Europe Fund. It allows the fund to leverage existing assets, reduce environmental impact and align with the long-term goal of driving the energy transition. “By investing in the next generation of wind technology, we are not just updating infrastructure. We are reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable future and the circular economy.”