UK: 150 recyclable wind turbine blades to power a million homes

The UK’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, a 1.4 GW project located 121 miles off the east coast, is set to power approximately 1.2 million homes upon its expected operational start in 2026. RWE, the global energy company behind the project, has completed the first large-scale installation of recyclable wind turbine blades in the UK, marking a significant advancement in circular technology for offshore wind energy. The wind farm features 50 Siemens Gamesa turbines, each equipped with three 108-meter recyclable blades, designed to efficiently harness the strong and steady winds of the North Sea. Construction is progressing on schedule, with over half of the 100 turbines installed and the project anticipated to begin commercial operations by September 2026. Siemens Gamesa developed a special resin for these blades, allowing the composite materials to be easily separated and reused at the end of their lifecycle, supporting a circular economy by diverting waste from landfills. This innovation enables materials from old blades to be repur