Wind Turbine Decommissioning Wave in 2049; Environmental Ministry Promotes Blade Recycling

(CNA Taipei, 31st) The Ministry of Environment estimates that after 2049, wind turbine blades will enter a period of massive decommissioning, with an annual output of about 10,000 metric tons. The ministry is currently assisting companies in joining recycling efforts, and in the future, waste blades can be recycled into products like parking lot fences or coasters through the plastic and cement industries. Taiwan's wind power development has spanned over 20 years, with more than 700 wind turbines currently installed. The Ministry of Environment estimates that based on a 20-year lifespan for onshore turbines and 25 years for offshore turbines, the average annual output of waste blades will be less than 700 tons before 2042. However, after 2049, it will enter a period of massive decommissioning, with annual output reaching about 10,000 tons, which may put pressure on the waste treatment system. To prepare sufficient disposal capacity, the Ministry of Environment's Resource Circulation Administration has commissioned the Industrial Technology Research Institute to execute the "2025 Wind Turbine Blade Resource Circulation Promotion Plan." Last year, two processing companies successfully recycled waste blades, and other companies are interested in joining. Chen Jun-rong, head of the Resource Circulation Division, told CNA that currently, the treatment of waste blades in Taiwan is mainly based on resource recycling, including crushing them for use as alternative raw materials or fuel in cement kilns, or reprocessing them into plastic pallets. Chen pointed out that two processing institutions have obtained qualifications to treat waste blades, with a total annual capacity of 10,000 tons. At this stage, there is no massive discharge of waste blades, and there have been no cases of landfill disposal. The Resource Circulation Administration explained that the plastic product industry has a wide range of applications, and cement resource treatment has great potential. The glass fiber resin powder derived from crushed waste blades can be used as a filler for cement-substitute products, such as Jersey barriers, parking lot fences, or coasters. The ministry will continue to assist companies in obtaining treatment permits to increase capacity and connect resource channels. The Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee of the Legislative Yuan passed the draft amendment to the Waste Disposal Act on the 18th, including emerging wastes such as solar panels and wind turbine blades under management, thereby expanding the scope of producer responsibility.