As the wind energy sector matures, the question of what happens when turbines reach the end of their operational life is becoming increasingly urgent. On the 24th of June 2025, we hosted the event ‘Tackling End-of-Life Challenges in Wind Infrastructure: Innovations, Insights, and Future Research Pathways’, in UWE Bristol, bringing together researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to explore this critical phase in the wind energy lifecycle.
Through a series of presentations and roundtable discussions, participants examined current challenges and innovative approaches to managing end-of-life wind infrastructure. The event focused on three key areas:
- Lessons from the UK and international context on end-of-life practices in wind infrastructure.
- Mapping the decommissioning landscape, including expert insights into repowering, regulatory frameworks, decision-making drivers, and circular economy challenges.
- Identifying knowledge gaps and exploring strategies to address them through collaborative research.
The workshop provided a platform to deepen understanding of the decommissioning ecosystem, highlight critical research needs, and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration. Key takeaways included the importance of early lifecycle planning, the potential for digital tools, and the value of learning from other sectors such as aerospace and renewables.
The workshop concluded with a set of practical recommendations to guide potential research areas that the WEELO Observatory could focus on:
- Consolidate data on decommissioned projects and best practices by providing a repository of data on decommissioned case studies, policy frameworks, and best practices to support sustainable decommissioning and recycling.
- Continue to advocate for integrating end-of-life considerations into the early stages of wind infrastructure planning, supported by policy incentives that encourage circularity and long-term sustainability.
- Foster cross-sector collaboration and continue to build opportunities to share ideas and knowledge on this important area.
The full event report is available here: Tackling End-of-Life Challenges in Wind Infrastructure: Innovations, Insights, and Future Research Pathways