Vestas Wind Turbine Decommissioning

What Happens to Old Wind Turbine Full Systems (OEM-Specific)s?

Last reviewed by Marcus Williams on 02 April 2026

Old Vestas Wind Turbines face three main end-of-life scenarios: landfill disposal, recycling, and repurposing. Vestas Wind Turbine Decommissioning Landfill is the least sustainable option due to high environmental impact; recycling offers better material recovery but requires advanced technology like CETEC from Vestas; repurposing involves refurbishing older models for developing markets where newer turbines aren't needed yet.

How Are Wind Turbine Full Systems (OEM-Specific)s Recycled?

Vestas launched CETEC, a thermochemical process that recovers blade epoxy and other valuable materials. This technology aims to address the growing problem of wind turbine waste by extracting usable components from decommissioned blades. Vestas also commits to achieving zero waste in their operations by 2040, pushing for greater recycling efficiency across all aspects of manufacturing and disposal.

What Does Wind Turbine Decommissioning Cost?

Decommissioning a single Vestas Wind Turbine costs between $200,000 and $800,000 per turbine. This figure includes dismantling the entire system, removing the tower and blades, extracting valuable materials like copper and rare earth metals, and properly disposing of non-reusable components.

According to the Consumer Technology Association, The average US household has 21 unused electronic devices.

What Materials Are Recovered?

During decommissioning, Vestas Wind Turbine Decommissioning recovers several key materials. Fiberglass blades are broken down using technologies like CETEC to recover epoxy resin. Steel towers provide significant amounts of reusable metal. Copper from the generator is also a valuable resource, along with rare earth elements important for electrical components. Concrete foundations can be crushed and reused in construction projects.

Regulations on Wind Turbine Waste

Vestas publishes an annual sustainability report outlining recycling targets and progress towards reducing waste. The EU Wind Energy Directive encourages manufacturers to take responsibility for end-of-life management of their products, pushing Vestas to innovate solutions such as CETEC and zero-waste goals.

The Wind Waste Problem

With Vestas being the world's largest turbine manufacturer, thousands of older models like V47, V52, and V80 (installed from 2000-2010) are nearing their end-of-life phase. This poses a significant challenge for waste management in the wind energy sector as these turbines need proper disposal or recycling to mitigate environmental impacts.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, The value of raw materials in global e-waste was estimated at $91 billion in 2022.

Vestas's Specific Recycling Programmes

Vestas has implemented CETEC, a proprietary technology designed specifically for recovering epoxy resin from decommissioned blades. Additionally, they promote refurbishment and resale of older turbines to developing countries where new installations aren't economically viable but second-hand units can still provide reliable power generation. This approach helps extend the lifecycle of materials while providing access to clean energy in underserved regions.

Sustainability Commitments

Vestas aims to achieve zero waste across their operations by 2040, which includes aggressive recycling targets and responsible decommissioning practices. Their latest sustainability report details ongoing advancements in material recovery techniques and highlights partnerships with research institutions to develop more efficient recycling methods for wind turbine components.

Installed Base Size and End-of-Life Timeline

Vestas currently operates a vast installed base of over 100,000 turbines worldwide, many of which are reaching their operational lifespan. Models like the V47 and V52, installed primarily between 2000-2010, will begin decommissioning in earnest by 2030, creating a significant demand for sustainable disposal methods.

According to the World Economic Forum, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally.

Impact on Developing Markets

By refurbishing older turbines and selling them to developing markets, Vestas not only extends the life of these components but also provides affordable clean energy solutions where it's most needed. This strategy highlights their commitment to global sustainability while addressing local power needs effectively.

Advanced Recycling Technologies

Vestas continues to invest in modern recycling technologies such as CETEC to ensure that materials from decommissioned turbines are reused efficiently, reducing the environmental footprint of wind energy production and contributing to a circular economy model within the industry.

Sources

• Consumer Technology Association
• UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
• World Economic Forum