InnoVent, a company specialized in the development and operation of wind and solar farms in France and Africa, has repowered the Le Portel wind farm by installing a tripod wind turbine, a first in Europe. The new turbine, commissioned on December 18, has already generated over 7.5 GWh in just over six months of operation, which is currently exceeding production forecasts. On an annual basis, output will be quadrupled compared to the previous turbines, and is expected to reach 15,200 MWh per year.

Blade Installation

Le Portel site

Located in Le Portel, in the Pas-de-Calais region, this wind farm is one of InnoVent’s first projects. For 21 years, four 750 kW wind turbines, each 76.5 metres tall, have stood along the Carnot seawall—a highly favourable, very windy site. However, over time, the salty air and sea spray have worn down the turbines, making them increasingly difficult to maintain due to the obsolescence of certain components. As a result, the site was being underutilised, with machine availability far from optimal.

These factors led InnoVent to apply for a repowering project. The four original turbines have now been replaced with a single wind turbine, 167 metres tall at blade tip and with a capacity of 3.8 MW—almost 1 MW more than the combined output of the previous four turbines. What makes this turbine unique? Its tower is mounted on a steel lattice tripod, which drastically reduces the amount of steel and concrete required for its foundation.

France and Europe’s First Tripod Tower Is in Le Portel

InnoVent and Nabrawind have already collaborated in Morocco, where the two companies installed Africa’s tallest wind turbine thanks to the innovative Nabralift structure.

The main challenge in this repowering project was the foundation, as the turbine would be installed in coastal conditions on an artificial harbour. However, the tripod design makes it easier to anchor the turbine into the ground while exerting less pressure on it.

In fact, the foundation is significantly lighter than that of an equivalent tubular tower. Why? Because the concrete requirements are reduced by 73%, dropping from 650 m³ to 150 m³, and the excavation area is also reduced by 80%.

Wind Turbine Mounted on a Tripod and Lattice Structure in Oualidia

Thanks to its repowering, the Le Portel wind farm will contribute directly to reducing the carbon footprint of France’s energy mix and will increase the supply of renewable, low-carbon electricity. It will generate approximately 15,200 MWh per year—four times more than the combined output of the previous four turbines.

Grégoire Verhaeghe, President of InnoVent, explains: “This wind turbine stands on three legs, which means it requires less concrete to anchor it to the ground.”
He adds: “The carbon footprint is a key factor in assessing the success of InnoVent’s projects.”

This turbine is entirely made in Europe: the tripod structure was designed by a Spanish company, the turbine itself was manufactured in Germany, and the lifting was carried out by a Franco-Belgian company.

Dismantling and Recycling of the Former Le Portel Wind Turbines

The dismantling of the old turbines is scheduled for the end of July.

As for recycling, some components will be retained for use as spare parts for the Bondues wind turbine. The rest will be sent to various recycling channels. The lower section of the tower from the first turbine (the southernmost one) will not be dismantled and will instead be used to house a remote radar unit for the French Navy.

Crowdfunding

InnoVent accompanied the repowering project with a crowdfunding campaign, launched on the Lendosphere platform, in order to involve the general public in this innovation and its financial benefits. The campaign was a great success among individual investors.
A total of €5 million was raised for the repowering project, including €3 million from 1,722 individual lenders and €2 million from the 123 Transition Energétique fund. Investment amounts ranged from €50 to €300,000, with an average loan amount of €1,710.

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