RWE, a global player in renewable energy, and GFRP, which is dedicated to the recycling of wind turbines, have signed a letter of intent. The aim is to explore a possible collaboration on the recycling of onshore wind turbines from existing wind farms in northern Sweden.
“Our goal is to further increase the sustainability of wind power. As the lifespan of old wind turbines comes to an end and we continue to develop and build new wind farms, the recycling industry is an important part of the value chain,” says Moa Rosén, project manager at RWE Renewables Sweden.
The recycling will be done through pyrolysis, a process where the material is heated to high temperatures in an oxygen-poor environment. This method primarily generates recycled fiberglass and oil that can be used in new products. Once the new recycling facility is operational, it will be able to handle several tons of material per day.
Viktor Thorn, CEO of GFRP Sweden, adds:
“The blades of wind turbines are complex compositions of fiberglass, wood, and epoxy. This places special demands on recycling. Depending on the composition and design of the blade, more or less of the material can be recycled. Ånge has a strategically good location in the middle of Sweden and close to many wind farms.”
