Hackberry's Next Chapter Begins

First Refurbished Turbine Back in Service

On a warm Texas morning, the first refurbished turbine at the Hackberry Wind Farm in Shackleford County, Texas began turning once again. The steady prairie winds it now captures mark more than a return to operation — they mark the beginning of a new era for one of Texas’s landmark renewable energy projects.

For nearly 20 years, Hackberry has been a source of clean power for Austin and surrounding communities. Now, thanks to a strategic refurbishment led by Dauntless Energy, the wind farm is poised to deliver another 15+ years of renewable generation.

“This milestone signals the start of Hackberry’s renewal,” says Todd Wynn, CEO of Dauntless Energy. “It’s the first step in transforming a proven asset so it can meet the grid’s needs for years to come.”

Refurbishing for the Long Term

This comprehensive refurbishment program is designed to extend the project’s productive life by more than 15 years. Rather than replacing entire turbines, the team is conducting targeted upgrades to the components that limit performance or lifespan while retaining the proven core infrastructure. 

This approach minimizes disruption, accelerates return to service, and avoids the environmental impact of manufacturing and transporting full turbine replacements. 

“The goal is to extend the productive life of existing assets,” explains Wynn. “Refurbishment offers the strongest balance of cost-efficiency, timeline, and sustainability.”

Turning Plans into Power

The refurbishment program at Hackberry is no small feat. Each turbine has its own overhaul plan based on a detailed condition assessment. The process can include replacing blades, upgrading gearboxes, updating control systems, and addressing wear that accumulates over years of operation.

The first refurbished turbine began generating power last week — one of 72 that will undergo this individual transformation, which has been steadily proceeding since the Notice to Proceed in June.

“This first turbine is a visible signal that the plan is working,” says Nicholas Wright, Dauntless’ SVP of Asset Management. “We’re moving from concept to execution, and every week brings another step toward full fleet restoration.”

The goal: return all 166 megawatts of Hackberry’s wind energy capacity to service by the end of the year.

Hackberry Wind Farm in Shackleford County, TX

First Refurbished Turbine Begins Generating Power

The return of this first turbine marks the start of Hackberry’s renewed output — and the benefits will expand with every additional unit brought online.

When complete, Hackberry will once again power more than 17,000 homes with clean, renewable energy, avoiding 186,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually. A long-term Power Purchase Agreement with Austin Energy ensures that this output directly supports local communities with affordable, renewable electricity.

Refurbishing instead of retiring the equipment also keeps critical generation capacity in place for the Texas electricity grid. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, additional sources of distributed renewable energy are a growing necessity.

Just as important, refurbishment reflects Dauntless’ focus on sustainability — extending the turbines’ useful life, minimizing material waste, and making the most of existing infrastructure. This approach is central to Dauntless’ commitment to practical, enduring solutions for the energy transition.

"A smart refurbishment is about resource efficiency as much as it is about cost," says Wright. "The goal here is to extend the productive life of existing assets, delivering more clean energy without the expense and footprint of a complete rebuild."

A Cornerstone in the Portfolio

Since entering commercial operation in 2008, Hackberry has been a key contributor to the region’s wind energy supply. Hackberry was added to the Skyline Renewables portfolio in 2018; that portfolio is owned by the private equity firm Ardian and managed by Dauntless. Hackberry  has consistently delivered utility-scale renewable energy to support Austin Energy under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement.

The refurbishment reinforces Hackberry’s role in the portfolio by extending its productive life and ensuring it continues to meet long-term commitments. With careful planning and targeted upgrades, the project maximizes the value of existing infrastructure while continuing to power the communities it serves.

Hackberry’s continued operation reflects Dauntless’ approach — managing a diverse portfolio of wind, solar, and other efficient energy assets across North America with a mix of long-term vision and hands-on execution. 

Learn more about how Dauntless works with partners to strengthen and sustain critical energy assets. Partner with us.

Sources

Ardian Press Release: Hackberry Wind Farm Acquisition, 2018

U.S. Department of Energy: Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy

Siemens Gamesa: Turbine Refurbishment and Sustainability Overview