Where do wind turbine blades go after they're decommissioned? See how Europe reuses discarded blades.
A growing number of wind turbines are nearing the end of their service life. Europe currently has 290GW of installed wind power capacity, of which approximately 80GW will reach the end of its theoretical lifespan by 2030. In reality, most of these turbines will continue to operate, while some will be decommissioned. The European wind energy industry proposed a ban on the landfill disposal of decommissioned turbine blades as early as 2021. So, how will Europe handle these blades once they are decommissioned? Recently, WindEurope launched a new circularity hub showcasing methods for the reuse, repurpose, recycle, and recover of decommissioned wind turbine blades.
Sustainability has always been an inherent characteristic of wind energy. Wind energy is considered one of the most sustainable power generation methods, primarily because wind turbines consume almost no water, have minimal environmental impact, and their energy recovery cycle is only a few months.
Sustainable development solutions for wind energy also include the decommissioning and recycling of wind turbines. Currently, using existing waste management methods, approximately 90% of the mass of wind turbines can be recycled. The final challenge in achieving wind turbine recycling is blade recycling.
This is because blades are made of durable and difficult-to-separate composite materials, so many blades are not effectively recycled after retirement.
So, where do wind turbine blades go after retirement and dismantling? The previously common landfill method is clearly unfeasible. The European wind power industry has pledged a ban on landfilling wind turbine blades from January 1, 2026. (Reference: WindEurope calls for a ban on landfilling retired wind turbine blades)
In recent years, the wind power industry has actively developed new methods for reusing, retrofitting, recycling, and reusing retired wind turbine blades.
The more waste generated, the more solutions are needed.
Of the 290GW of wind power capacity currently installed in Europe, approximately 80GW will reach the end of its theoretical operating life by 2030. Many of these units can continue to operate, but an increasing number will be retired (scrapped).
WindEurope estimates that by 2030, the total weight of retired wind turbine blade material will increase to 55,000 tons annually. This increase (relative to approximately 20,000 tons by 2025) is primarily driven by decommissioning operations in mature wind power markets such as Germany and Spain.
The decommissioning of 50,000 tons of blades will pose significant challenges to the wind power industry. The European wind power sector must increase its investment in the circular economy, and Europe is actively pursuing this direction. As the number of decommissioned wind turbine blades continues to rise, new waste management methods are emerging. More and more companies are participating in the reuse, retrofitting, recycling, or regeneration of wind turbine waste. A new link in the wind energy value chain is taking shape, creating new jobs and employment opportunities.
A New Circular Economy Centre
The European Wind Energy Association has established a new Circular Economy Centre to showcase the latest solutions that make the vision of wind energy recycling a reality. Major European companies are investing in new recycling plants and actively promoting innovative solutions for decommissioned wind turbine blades. The Centre showcases various existing sustainable secondary utilization solutions in Europe.
The Circular Economy Act: Waste Management Becomes a Focus
The European Commission is expected to introduce a Circular Economy Act next year, aimed at strengthening sustainable waste management practices. Against this backdrop, the European wind power industry is calling for a new waste coding system.
Currently, wind turbine-related waste is not clearly identified and is often mixed with other types of construction waste. This makes tracking and properly disposing of blade waste more difficult. To avoid this problem, the European Commission should develop specific waste codes for retired wind turbine blades and permanent magnets.
The European wind energy industry is committed to ensuring no blade is scrapped: The industry is dedicated to sustainable blade solutions.
The European wind power industry has made significant progress in its efforts to achieve 100% recycling, reuse, or reuse of retired blades and to promote sustainable end-of-life solutions.
The industry has established its leadership in end-of-life solutions through innovation, collaboration, and policy engagement. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding unclear waste classification, the lack of unified EU regulations, and the limited cost competitiveness of recycling technologies.