EnergyLoop: from renewable energy to circular wind farms

A subsidiary of Spanish energy firm Iberdrola is planning the first industrial-scale plant in Europe to recycle wind turbines, creating around 100 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade.

Iberdrola has established EnergyLoop in partnership with FCC Ámbito to develop the project. The project is supported by Siemens Gamesa, a global leader in the manufacture and maintenance of wind farms which has installed 53% of Spain’s facilities. 

Iberdrola says the new EUR 10 million plant will be built in Navarre in northern Spain, seen as a strategic location due to its proximity to some of the country’s biggest wind farms. Here, the various materials present in wind turbine blade components, mostly glass and carbon fibre and resins, will be recovered for use in sectors such as energy, aerospace, automotive, textiles, chemicals and construction.

Part of the funding comes from the Navarre government which wants to position the region at the forefront of the renewable energy sector. Currently, Spain has more than 28 GW of installed capacity. It is estimated that 5 700 wind turbines will have to be recycled across Europe every year by 2030.