Not out of thin air: the need for a strategic approach to materials in the UK wind energy industry
Summary of contents
This report explores the material requirements for offshore and onshore wind farms in the UK in a scenario that takes us from the present day to 2050. The scenario modelled here assumes a nationwide scale-up of wind energy, in line with the Government’s stated ambitions to quadruple our offshore and double our onshore capacity by 2030.
Increasing the recovery and recycling of materials is just one part of establishing a more circular wind industry. A key principle of a circular economy is to keep materials circulating at their highest possible value for the maximum time. Reuse, re-manufacturing and re-powering, therefore, are all important in helping to achieve this and must be enabled by policy interventions. In addition, shifting towards greater durability and extending the lifespan of wind farms as standard will be another way to maximise the material lifespan. There may be trade-offs that will need to be considered carefully to increase circularity, for example between durability and recyclability, and to avoid ‘burden shifting’ of environmental impacts or emissions to different parts of the lifecycle. Data and evidence will be important in understanding these trade-offs and making high quality policy decisions. Ultimately, a more circular wind industry should help reduce primary resource demand, increase resource efficiency and minimise waste and pollution, while potentially also leading to the creation of more high value jobs in the industry.