bp has completed an upgrade at its Fowler Ridge 1 wind farm in Indiana, increasing the site’s power production capabilities 40% from its current capacity.
The wind farm’s new Vestas turbines generate an average estimated 314,000 kWh each year, enough renewable electricity to power approximately 27,000 homes. The new technology produces power at lower wind speeds, creating more electricity from available resources.
“This project is a substantial upgrade for the wind farm and another investment in bp’s low-carbon energy future,” says Orlando Alvarez, chairman and president of bp America. “It shows bp’s strategy in action: contributing to a more secure, affordable and lower carbon energy mix while pursuing our net zero ambition.”
The project involved upgrading 40 turbines, including the installation of 120 individual blades and 40 new nacelles, meeting bp’s expected returns for renewables. The company’s capital investment reached approximately $100 million.
“We’re excited to partner with bp as a leading multi brand service provider, supplying new, industry-leading technology for the Fowler Ridge 1 wind project,” says Vestas North America’s Ramit Bajaj.
“Repowering wind projects offers an optimal solution for aging fleets by increasing the annual energy production and expanding the lifespan of a project – a critical component of the clean energy transition.”
bp plans to recycle the decommissioned blades, keeping up to 3.3 million pounds of material from ending up in landfills.
