United Kingdom – SSE Renewables, Renewable Parts Limited (RPL), and the University of Strathclyde, which runs the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, are collaborating to help the UK develop a circular and sustainable wind industry.
While the majority of minor components in a wind turbine can be reused, remanufactured, or refurbished, the majority of replacement parts are still purchased new, adding to the industry’s carbon footprint.
The organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining how they will collaborate on a number of fronts, including securing a world-leading UK-wind circular economy sector deal. It also entails assisting SSE Renewables in achieving its net zero goals by improving the circularity of its 2GW of operational onshore wind assets and developing a strategy to reduce waste from wind farms at the end of their lives.
Wind R&D
The partnership intends to work with a variety of partners to develop sustainable supply chains, with the goal of establishing Scotland as the UK’s advanced research and development center for wind turbine component remanufacture.
This will aid in the reduction of carbon emissions from renewable energy assets, as well as supply chain resilience and the creation of new skilled jobs in the United Kingdom.
