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RWE's Sofia is the UK's first offshore wind farm to use recyclable rotor blades
https://www.rwe.com/en/press/rwe-offshore-wind-gmbh/2025-08-21-sofia-is-the-uks-first-offshore-wind-farm-to-use-recyclable-rotor-blades/RWE’s Sofia is the UK’s first offshore wind farm to use recyclable rotor blades
RWE and turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa are driving a new era of wind turbine innovation with the first ever large-scale installation of recyclable blades at a UK offshore wind farm.
Highly unique, the rotor blades are made using an innovative resin. At the end of the blade’s operating life, the various materials can then be easily separated from the other components as a result and can be recycled, for example into vehicle components and consumer goods like bicycle helmets and suitcases.
Following an agreement signed in 2023 with Siemens Gamesa, RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, located off the north-east coast, is now being fitted with a total of 150 recyclable blades, used across 50 of its 100 wind turbines. Already 50% of the recyclable blades have been fitted at the wind farm, with Siemens Gamesa continuing installation throughout the rest of the year.
Thomas Michel, COO, RWE Offshore Wind said: "This installation represents an important moment for RWE and Sofia. Deploying recyclable blades at this scale is an indicator of RWE’s drive to deliver sustainability across its renewables fleet. By working with partners like Siemens Gamesa, we are setting a new sustainability benchmark for renewables development and helping significantly improve the circularity of offshore wind technology.”
…
- Half of Sofia’s 100 offshore wind turbines are being fitted with the pioneering blade technology.
- These rotor blades are made using a resin which can be broken down into its component parts and recycled into new products, once the turbine’s operational life ends.
- The high-tech process has been devised by Siemens Gamesa, which also manufactures the recyclable blades for Sofia at its facility in Hull, UK.
RWE and turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa are driving a new era of wind turbine innovation with the first ever large-scale installation of recyclable blades at a UK offshore wind farm.
Highly unique, the rotor blades are made using an innovative resin. At the end of the blade’s operating life, the various materials can then be easily separated from the other components as a result and can be recycled, for example into vehicle components and consumer goods like bicycle helmets and suitcases.
Following an agreement signed in 2023 with Siemens Gamesa, RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, located off the north-east coast, is now being fitted with a total of 150 recyclable blades, used across 50 of its 100 wind turbines. Already 50% of the recyclable blades have been fitted at the wind farm, with Siemens Gamesa continuing installation throughout the rest of the year.
Thomas Michel, COO, RWE Offshore Wind said: "This installation represents an important moment for RWE and Sofia. Deploying recyclable blades at this scale is an indicator of RWE’s drive to deliver sustainability across its renewables fleet. By working with partners like Siemens Gamesa, we are setting a new sustainability benchmark for renewables development and helping significantly improve the circularity of offshore wind technology.”
…