Siemens Gamesa launch world’s first recyclable wind turbine blade

This week, Siemens Gamesa announced a huge milestone for the global wind industry, the launch of the world’s first recyclable wind turbine blade for commercial use offshore. The company has shared its ambition to make turbines fully recyclable by 2040 and this is a huge step towards their goal.

“The time to tackle climate emergency is now, and we need to do it in a holistic way. In pioneering wind circularity – where elements contribute to a circular economy of the wind industry – we have reached a major milestone in a society that puts care for the environment at its heart. The RecyclableBlade is another tangible example of how Siemens Gamesa is leading technological development in the wind industry,” states Andreas Nauen, CEO of Siemens Gamesa.

Achim Berge Olsen, CEO of wpd offshore and COO of wpd group, declared:” For the last 20 years, wpd actively contributed to the sustainable development of the offshore wind industry. Through this cooperation in the recycling technology program of Siemens Gamesa, we’re making another step forward for the industry, which makes us enthusiastic regarding sustainability of the supply chain in the future”.

Can we expect fully recyclable wind turbines by 2040?

In their ambitious Sustainability Vision with the hope to make turbines fully recyclable by 2040, Siemens Gamesa continue to push the boundaries of sustainability to create a better future for generations to come. 

“Our aspiration is to produce wind turbines that can generate renewable electricity for 20-30 years. When they reach the end of their useful life, we can separate the materials and use them for new relevant applications. The RecyclableBlade is a great step in that direction and well ahead of our 2040 goal,” said Gregorio Acero, Head of Quality Management & Health, Safety, and Environment at Siemens Gamesa.

Addressing the impact of wind power is crucial when tackling the climate crisis and it is critical to implement recyclable solutions as soon as possible. This technological advance allows separation of the used materials when the blade has come to the end of its use which enables it to be reused in many different ways. With this move, Siemens Gamesa are leading the way towards a sustainable future.