Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
64. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has issued any guidance on the disposal of decommissioned wind turbine blades; if he accepts that due to the material from which these blades are constructed there are exceptional environmental challenges in disposing of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56344/23]
View answerIn the coming years, a significant number of onshore wind turbines are expected to reach the end of their service life. Approximately 90% of a turbine's components are made of steel or iron material, which is readily recyclable. However, wind turbine blades do represent a challenge, as current designs cannot be melted or re-moulded.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland participates in the International Energy Agency Technology Collaboration programme for Wind Energy, which is undertaking research on ways to minimise waste from blades and how to make wind turbine blades more recyclable. This includes using new materials such as bio-based composites, or designing new blade structures to ease the separation and recycling of different blade materials.
Further information can be found at the following link: iea-wind.org/task45/
With regard to offshore wind farms, under the new Marine Planning system as part of their planning application, a developer must submit a decommissioning plan for consideration by An Bord Pleanála, and it is anticipated that these decommissioning plans will include proposals around recycling and reuse. Any conditions applied to a subsequent permit granted by the Board, including with respect to decommissioning and end of life policies, will be for the new maritime agency, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, to monitor and ensure compliance with.
