CIRCULAR ECONOMY
With an average lifespan of 20-25 years, many of the world’s offshore wind turbines installed during the 1990s and early 2000s are now reaching the end of their life expectancy. This raises the question of what happens to them next?
There are many key considerations to take into account around the supply chain readiness to handle the decommissioning of these materials in the most environmentally sustainable manner. That is why we have developed the Circular Economy in the Wind Sector joint industry programme (CEWS), as an industry-wide initiative to investigate the barriers and opportunities for a sustainable approach to decommissioning.
Image: EMR, Glasgow
CEWS
CEWS is building the body of knowledge required to establish standard practice and guidance for the decommissioning of offshore wind farms so that the sector may avoid the expensive and lengthy trial-and-error processes experienced by the oil and gas industry.
CEWS is focused on finding practical solutions to the growing challenge of wind farm decommissioning, including future investment needs for specific materials, physical and regulatory challenges to wind farm decommissioning and the reclamation and recycling of materials.
This programme looks to raise awareness of the added value of circular economy approaches for offshore wind; develop strategic responses to the forecasted steeply rising levels of criticality of materials on which offshore wind growth is dependent; and identify business opportunities and circular business models to increase the sustainability potential of offshore wind.
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CIRCULAR ECONOMY PROJECTS
LET'S TALK CIRCULAR
In this episode, we hear from experts who are working on circular economy projects that look to improve best practices and procedures that are currently in place to ensure these green energy producers remain as green in their end of life.
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