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Sector Deal - Circular Economy Update

Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal Update: Circularity

As Scotland’s onshore wind sector grows, maximising the reuse of materials and minimising waste in the supply chain presents an economic opportunity, particularly as more sites become ready for decommissioning. Scotland can be a world leader in the reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling of wind turbine components and wider assets, which in turn will create jobs and export opportunities.

The Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal includes 4 individual commitments that will support the creation of a circular economy in Scotland.

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Positioning Scotland as a World Leader in Material Circularity

In the Sector Deal, the onshore wind sector committed to collaborate with the Coalition for Wind Industry Circularity (CWIC) to publish its full programme of commitments and support efforts to develop innovative circular supply chain development, progress Scottish supply chain options for reused, refurbished, and remanufactured component parts, and establish a common standard for reporting on individual company approaches.

The Sector Deal also commits to delivering at least one specialist blade treatment facility in Scotland by 2030.

Who is Involved

The work on circularity is being led by the Coalition for Wind Industry Circularity, which includes the University of Strathclyde, SSE Renewables, Renewable Parts Limited, Scottish Renewables, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, Extend Plus, Zero Waste Scotland, Orsted, Natural Power, ScottishPower Renewables, Iberdola Offshore Renewables, The Crown Estate, and enterprise agencies. Please contact Morag Watson, Director of Onshore, Scottish Renewables if you have any queries.

Work Update

  • The Scottish Government wrote to the Enterprise Agencies, Zero Waste Scotland, and SEPA encouraging them to participate in the CWIC initiative.
  • The work that began with CWIC updating its 'Greenprint' has expanded. 

    The CWIC Steering Committee, led by SSE Renewables, ScottishPower Renewables, Orsted, University of Strathclyde, Scottish Renewable, Renewable Parts, and NMIS, has engaged The Carbon Trust. The Carbon Trust is supporting the steering committee in formalising a business case and governance model that will enable CWIC to prioritise, fund, and deliver projects that address its core ambitions over a multi-year period. This work is being undertaken between now and the end of 2024

  • The Sector Deal commitment to deliver at least one specialist blade recycling facility has now been completed, following discussions with ReBlade, which has established a facility in Dumfries and can reuse all decommissioned blades in Scotland.
  • SR have joined the board of Suswind and will work with the industry to progress their work. The Sector Deal SLG will be kept up to date on developments.
  • Work on recycling turbine parts and blades continues through CWIC. A new, more ambitious set of goals will be released in January 2025.