UK's Largest Offshore Wind Power Project Innovates With Recyclable Blades Made From Recycled Plastics and Other Materials

German energy company RWE and turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa have installed recyclable rotor blades at the Sofia offshore wind farm in the UK, marking the first large-scale promotion of circular wind turbine technology in the country.

Earlier this month, the two companies installed half of the planned 150 recyclable blades on 50 of the 100 offshore turbines in the project, with the remaining installation work to be completed by the end of the year.

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is located approximately 121 miles (about 195 kilometers) off the northeast coast of England at Dogger Bank and is one of the largest offshore renewable energy projects currently under construction in Europe.

After the wind farm is fully operational, it is expected to provide up to 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity. It is reported that this is enough to supply clean power to approximately 1.2 million homes in the UK.

Innovative highlights of circular wind power: blades made from recyclable materials such as recycled plastic

According to Thomas Michel, Chief Operating Officer of RWE Offshore Wind, these unique rotor blades use innovative resins specially designed for circular recycling, which include materials such as recycled plastics, greatly enhancing the recyclability and value of material reuse.

"This installation marks an important milestone for both RWE and the Sofia project," explained Michelle. "The large-scale deployment of recyclable blades demonstrates RWE's commitment to achieving sustainability in its renewable energy units."

Once the blades reach the end of their service life, their various materials can be easily separated and recycled into a range of products, including automotive components, helmets, suitcases, and other consumer goods.

Siemens Gamesa initially installed recyclable blades on a trial basis at RWE’s Kaskasi wind farm in Germany. Building on this, the Sofia project represents a further expansion by applying this innovative technology to one of the UK’s most ambitious offshore energy projects.

According to the agreement reached with Siemens Gamesa in 2023, the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm in the UK will be equipped with a total of 150 recyclable blades. Currently, half of the blades have been installed on 50 turbines, and the remaining blades are expected to be fully installed by the end of the year.

"By partnering with Siemens Gamesa and other collaborators, we have set a new sustainability benchmark for renewable energy development and significantly enhanced the recyclability of offshore wind power technology," Michel added.

Powering UK Homes: Leading the Energy Transition

Darren Davidson, Vice President of Siemens Gamesa UK, stated that installing the first recyclable blades in UK waters is a milestone moment for Siemens Energy in the UK and Ireland region.

"This is an excellent example of how we share knowledge and collaborate to achieve energy security and a zero-carbon future," Davidson further elaborated, "Our Hull plant is at the forefront of blade technology development and manufacturing."

The wind farm will be equipped with Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 turbines, featuring blades that are 354 feet (108 meters) long and a rotor diameter of 728 feet (222 meters). At full capacity, the wind farm will generate 1.4 gigawatts of renewable energy.

The Sofia offshore wind farm is expected to begin operations in 2026, providing enough renewable electricity for approximately 1.2 million homes in the UK. "As a global leader in energy technology, we are honored to collaborate with RWE to build the Sofia offshore wind farm, one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world," Davidson summarized in the press release.