The UK plans to double onshore wind capacity and triple offshore wind by 2030. But as new turbines go up, the first generation of wind farms is reaching the end of its life, with little policy in place to ensure their materials and components are kept in use.

In this briefing, we set out why building a circular wind industry matters for energy security, supply chain resilience and industrial opportunity. We explain the current state of end of life management in the UK, where decommissioning guidance is fragmented and circular practice is the exception rather than the rule and look at what other countries are doing better. Drawing on research from the RESCUE Project, we make three recommendations for the government’s forthcoming Circular Economy Roadmap for Clean Energy Industries.

This briefing was produced with the RESCUE Project which is led by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, in partnership with the Universities of Leeds, Birmingham and the West of England, EMR and Ionic Technologies, and funded by UK Research and Innovation.

For more information, contact
Libby Peake, senior fellow and head of resources