The global energy transition is accelerating, and with this is the shift to renewable generation. But this shift to “clean generation” is not a simple one. There are significant challenges with this wholesale shift when you consider the circular economy. Without a long-term strategic view, it raises questions about the sustainability of this green transition.

As Groundlines General Manager for Australia & New Zealand, I’ve spent over 20 years in the energy sector. The shift to renewable generation is one of the most exciting—and complex—developments I’ve seen. But all is not what it seems.

The global shift to renewable generation and the move away from fossil fuels have had a huge impact on nearly every sector across the globe.  The opportunities created because of this are massive, and I don’t see this slowing down for many years to come. However, with the urgency to transition to a cleaner, greener future to slow global warming, it seems like our strategic views have shortened to 2030 or perhaps 2050.

But what lies beyond that? What does that future look like further out? Yes, we may have hundreds of wind farms on our horizon, solar panels on every bit of available space to generate free energy and vehicles driving around silently on battery power charged from green electricity. Perfect!

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The Real Impact?

But are we doing enough to ensure the legacy that is left in 50 years’ time is not setting up another disaster that requires a global shift to resolve? How is all the infrastructure associated with this renewable generation going to be dealt with when it is end-of-life or upgraded?  What role does the circular economy play today, and what should be our longer-term circular economy strategies?

As our demand for renewables grows, there are some scary numbers coming down the line:

• In 2023, there were approximately 1 million metric tons of solar panel waste globally.  By 2050, this will be over 78 million tons of solar panels at end-of-life (8M Solar)
• Wind turbines have an average lifespan of 30 years, with the early ones starting to be decommissioned in the coming years.  By 2050, there will be 43 million tons of waste material globally from the wind power industry (University of Cambridge)

It can be discouraging when, as designers, we suggest more sustainable alternatives—such as using green concrete, reducing steel quantities to lower manufacturing emissions, or repurposing existing structures—only to see these options dismissed as soon as cost becomes an issue. In the grand scheme, these measures often seem minor, and financial considerations too frequently totally outweigh environmental benefits.

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Recycling of Renewables

Just because we can, doesn’t mean to say we do.

It is not hard to do some simple research to understand that a large percentage of renewable generation components are already recyclable. This part has mostly been done very well: 

• Solar photovoltaic modules are around 85% recyclable
• About 85-90% of a wind turbine is recyclable (steel, aluminium, copper) 
• Lithium-ion batteries have a high recyclable potential (90%), as the lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and aluminium can all be recycled.

However, the reality of what is ultimately recycled presents a markedly different scenario:

• Solar panels: <10% recycled
• Wind turbines: although the steel, aluminium and copper can be recycled, the turbine blades, often made from thermoset resins and fibreglass, can not
• Lithium-ion batteries: around 5-10% are recycled globally 

So, one can only assume that what is not recycled ends up in a landfill. Remember what used to happen with used tyres?

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There are, of course, challenges to recycling, such as: 

• The cost of recycling is often much higher than landfill costs; this is especially true if there is a cost to disassemble 
• We can’t actually recycle some more complex materials, such as turbine blades, or hazardous materials
• There is a lack of regulatory or legislative mandates to encourage recycling
• In some cases, there is simply a lack of recycling plants 

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However, it is not all doom and gloom, and there are innovations that are underway to improve recyclability:

• Use of thermoplastics instead of thermosets for turbine blades
• Chemical dissolution and pyrolysis for blade recycling
• An increase in government focus on recycling globally
• Vestas Wind Systems has implemented a closed-loop recycling program for wind turbine blades, significantly reducing waste
• In Spain, Enel Green Power’s “Wind New Life” project is transforming decommissioned turbine blades into construction materials and even electricity poles. Their “Photorama” initiative aims to recover over 95% of materials from end-of-life solar panels, reintegrating them into the supply chain.
• Carbon Rivers & University of Tennessee developed a pyrolysis technique to recover high-quality fibreglass from decommissioned wind turbine blades
• The European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive classifies solar panels as electronic waste and requires manufacturers to finance the collection and recycling of their products. This regulation has spurred innovation and investment in recycling technologies throughout Europe.

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So, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, but there is a lot of work still to do across the entire energy sector.

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Conclusion

The global energy transition is well underway, and the momentum toward renewable generation is both necessary and inspiring. Yet, as we build the infrastructure for a cleaner future, we must also look beyond immediate climate goals and consider the long-term sustainability of our energy systems. The shift to renewables is not without complexity, and without a strategic focus on circular economy principles, we risk creating new environmental challenges even as we solve old ones.

While many renewable technologies are highly recyclable in theory, actual recycling rates remain low. This gap must be addressed urgently. There are encouraging examples, but these efforts must be scaled across the entire energy sector.

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Now is the time to act.
Industry leaders, governments, and innovators must work together to:

• Consider the circularity of products and designs
• Invest in recycling infrastructure and innovation
• Design renewable technologies considering the circularity of the end product
• Implement regulatory frameworks that incentivise circular practices
• Educate and engage communities on the importance of sustainable energy lifecycles

The clean energy revolution must not only be green—it must be circular. Let’s ensure the legacy we leave is one of resilience, responsibility, and regeneration.

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#EnergyTransition #Renewables #circularity #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #ThoughtLeadership #Infrastructure #SmartGrid #NetZero 

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