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How RWE & Siemens are Transforming Turbine Blade Recycling
How RWE & Siemens are Transforming Turbine Blade Recycling
September 10, 2025
4 mins
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Credit- RWE
RWE and Siemens Gamesa install recyclable blades at Sofia Wind Farm, supporting EU-wide landfill bans and advancing circularity in wind energy systems.
The standard lifespan of an onshore windfarm is typically 20 to 25 years, posing a challenge for the sustainable disposal of materials, particularly the blades.
Though about 90% of a wind farm can be recycled, turbine blades often present significant recycling challenges.
To mitigate the impact of these challenges, WindEurope is lobbying for a continent-wide prohibition on landfilling turbine blades by 2025.
Giles Dickson, current CEO at WindEurope
Giles Dickson, CEO at WindEurope, says: “Wind energy is a green technology. Sustainability is part of our DNA.
“That’s why we are constantly striving to further reduce our impact on the environment.
“A ban on landfilling wind turbine blades will help accelerate the development of sustainable recycling technologies. Austria, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands already have a landfill ban in place.
“But we call upon the European Commission to propose a harmonised European approach."
In a progressive move, RWE has collaborated with Siemens Gamesa to facilitate the first large-scale installation of recyclable blades at a UK offshore windfarm.
The rotor blades are crafted from an innovative resin, designed so that materials can be distinctly separated when the blade reaches the end of its lifecycle, enabling far more effective recycling.
This innovation holds the potential for application in other industries, including vehicle components and consumer goods such as bicycles, helmets and suitcases.
Approximately 150 recyclable blades are presently being installed on RWE's Sofia Offshore Wind Farm.
Thomas Michel, COO, RWE Offshore Wind
Advancing wind technology with recyclable blades
Advancing wind technology with recyclable blades
The capacity to generate renewable electricity sufficient to power around 1.2 million standard UK homes is anticipated once all the blades are operational.
Thomas Michel, Chief Operating Officer at RWE Offshore Wind, said: "This installation represents an important moment for RWE and Sofia.
“Deploying recyclable blades at this scale is an indicator of RWE’s drive to deliver sustainability across its renewables fleet.
“By working with partners like Siemens Gamesa, we are setting a new sustainability benchmark for renewables development and helping significantly improve the circularity of offshore wind technology.”
Siemens Gamesa’s novel technology
Siemens Gamesa’s novel technology
With an increased number of installations and growing turbine sizes, Siemens is enhancing the circularity of windfarms.
The company aims to produce 100% recyclable turbines by 2040, aligning with stringent recycling mandates being adopted by several countries.
Typically, decommissioned wind turbine blades are relegated to landfills. However, Siemens Gamesa’s RecyclableBlade technology enables these blades to be repurposed in disparate sectors.
According to the company, the transition was straightforward, necessitating only the introduction of a novel resin.
Darren Davidson, Vice President of Siemens Energy UK&I and Siemens Gamesa UK
Darren Davidson, Vice President of Siemens Energy UK&I and Siemens Gamesa UK, says: "Seeing the first recyclable blades being installed in UK waters is a major landmark moment. This is a great example of how we can share knowledge and work together to deliver on both energy security and a net zero future.
“Our Hull factory is at the cutting edge of blade technology development & manufacturing.
“As a global leader in energy technology, we’re proud to be partnering with RWE on Sofia, one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world.”
Aiming for sustainability at RWE
Aiming for sustainability at RWE
Over the past year, RWE has made strides in reducing emissions from its plants, with future plans focused on expanding wind and solar assets to support climate-friendly energy systems.
By 2030, the company aims to achieve more than a 70% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, ultimately striving for net zero by 2040.
Kunal Chandra, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at RWE
Kunal Chandra, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at RWE, said on LinkedIn: “Sustainability in infrastructure and products starts with being smart right at the design phase and this is exactly what we have done with our partner Siemens Energy by installing recyclable blades in our Sofia Windfarm.
“Treating sustainability as an aftermath is already half the battle lost.
“Designing and Building smartly keeping all future implications in mind is the hallmark of an excellent company and excellent products.
“At RWE we design for Sustainability!”
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