Cortes, a municipality located in the south of Navarra, has become a protagonist in the move towards a more sustainable energy model with the inauguration of EnergyLOOP. This is the first industrial plant on the Iberian Peninsula dedicated to the treatment of disused wind turbine treatment of disused wind turbine blades, a project led by Iberdrola.This project is led by Iberdrola, through its PERSEO program, and FCC Ámbito.
EnergyLOOP starts operations with local impact
The new facility has the capacity to treat up to 10,000 tons per year of composite material, mostly fiberglass and resins. fiberglass and resins. These raw materials can be reused in sectors such as construction, automotive, chemical, textile and aerospace. the construction, automotive, chemical, textile and aerospace industries, thanks to the shredding and classificationthanks to the shredding and sorting technology developed over the last four years by both companies.
On the other hand, the plant will contribute to create about a hundred direct and indirect jobs during this decade, prioritizing local hiring. This strategy will make the economy of the Ribera region of Navarra more dynamic, adding value through industrial innovation and ecological transition.
A solution to the challenge of wind repowering
The wind power industry in Spain exceeds 28 GW installed. With the renovation of old wind farms, thousands of turbines are expected to be decommissioned in the coming years. EnergyLOOP is anticipating this scenario with a scalable industrial solution, capable of managing blade waste from Iberdrola’s Isabela and Molar de Molinar repowering projects.
The process includes pre-treatment stages at source, specialized transportation, mechanical shredding technologies and reuse of the material. This management model seeks to minimize landfill and maximize the circularity of the components.
Institutional support and European funding
EnergyLOOP has been declared a Project of Foral Interest by the Government of Navarra. It also has the financial backing of the IDAE through the PERTE Circular Repowering program. Sodena, Navarra’s public development company, has also supported the initiative from its initial stages.
The institutional commitment to industrial decentralization and the circular economy has made it possible to consolidate a center of environmental innovation in the south of Navarra. According to statements made by President María Chivite, this plant represents “technology at the service of a sustainable planet“.
Source and photo: FCC Ámbito