How to Recycle a Wind Turbine

Wind Industry Profile of

Have you ever wondered what happens to a wind turbine at the end of its life?

You might be curious – there’s more than 52,000 utility-scale wind turbines operating in the U.S. today, providing enough power for 24 million American homes every year. Let’s take a look. Durable, long-lasting machines Wind turbines have long life cycles, lasting several decades. Some turbines from the first wind farms built in California nearly 35 years ago still operate today. However, today’s turbines are far superior, and this equipment makes up the vast majority of the U.S. wind fleet– 86 percent are less than 10 years old. What happens to a wind turbine at the end of its life? When turbines become outdated or reach the... ... More: Official Press Release AWEA - Into the Wind Blog