Suez is developing the dismantling of wind turbines with a recovery target of close to 100%

Wind energy plays a major role globally in the transition to carbon-free energies. With a recycling rate of 85% to 90%, the wind power market must go further in its circular economy initiatives.

Already engaged for several years in the dismantling of Electrical and Electronic Waste (WEEE), airplanes and end-of-life vehicles, SUEZ now supports energy operators and manufacturers in the recycling of wind turbines at the end of their life.

After 15 to 20 years of operation, wind turbines must be replaced by new generation equipment, more efficient and more powerful. In France, around 1 turbines will have to be dismantled over the next five years *. Upstream of the national regulations aimed at compulsory recycling for 500, SUEZ is already supporting fleet managers and manufacturers in the recovery of first-generation wind turbines. In fact, since June 2023, SUEZ has been implementing its dismantling expertise on construction sites. For example, the Group has operated, with a national fleet manager, two dismantling projects for 2019st generation wind turbines in Port-La-Nouvelle, near Narbonne (1), with a recovery rate of 11%, of which 98 % in material recovery.

Once the wind turbines have been dismantled, SUEZ extracts the various materials (steel, copper, aluminum, cables, fiberglass, waste electrical and electronic equipment) and directs them to the most suitable recycling channels, taking into account the footprint environmental transport. All material flows are rigorously identified and tracked until they are recycled, and a complete material balance is given to the fleet manager. This recovery makes it possible to avoid the extraction of fossil resources and rare virgin materials.

SUEZ also offers technical assistance for the dismantling and recovery of wind turbine blades and has already recycled more than twenty blades up to 50 meters long on various sites across France. The Group also works with turbine manufacturers on logistics and recycling of materials already dismantled. In 2021, several dismantling projects are scheduled on wind turbines equipped with blades 25 to 40 meters long.

SUEZ is also part of the “ZEBRA” project, led by IRT Jules Verne, for the development of wind blades made from 100% recyclable composite materials. This project, launched in September 2020, brings together industrial players and research centers, and aims to demonstrate the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of thermoplastic wind turbine blades, using an eco-design approach to facilitate recycling.

“SUEZ aims to be a key player in the dismantling of wind turbines with overall control of the deconstruction and management of all the waste streams to be recycled. We want to support the various players in renewable energies, park managers, turbine manufacturers, energy suppliers, in a circular and virtuous economy. " Fabrice Rossignol, Deputy Managing Director SUEZ Recyclage & Valorisation France

* source: https://www.revolution-energetique.com/le-demantelement-et-le-recyclage-des-eoliennes/