Circular Online speaks to Zero Waste Scotland about how it is creating a circular economy at the Hagshaw Energy Cluster.
The Hagshaw Energy Cluster is an established location for large scale renewable energy projects, located on the border of East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.
In April 2023, Zero Waste Scotland established a Circular Economy Delivery Group after being invited by the cluster’s steering group to lead on exploring circular economy opportunities.
Zero Waste Scotland says the cluster is set to drive economic growth through wind turbine reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing, which could potentially contribute £1.6 billion to the UK economy by 2035.
Circular Online spoke to Zero Waste Scotland about its work at the Hagshaw Energy Cluster.
How will the Hagshaw Energy Cluster advance circular economy practices?
The Hagshaw Energy Cluster will integrate circular economy principles by reusing, refurbishing, and remanufacturing wind turbine components and wider wind farm infrastructure, extending their lifespan and reducing landfill waste.
Materials like turbine blades, metals, drainage infrastructure, concrete and aggregates will be repurposed for local infrastructure projects; such as woodland schemes, access projects, and recreational spaces.
A proposed turbine recycling centre highlights the cluster’s commitment to circular innovation. These practices align with Zero Waste Scotland’s vision of maximising resource efficiency while setting a national example for sustainable energy projects.
What are the biggest challenges to achieving a circular economy with the Hagshaw Energy Cluster?
The key challenges include the lack of infrastructure for recycling turbine blades, uncertainty in the local supply chain for managing material reuse, and procurement issues that can stifle local business engagement.
Community awareness of circular principles is still developing. Where interaction between the onshore wind sector and community stakeholders can take place, some stakeholders are viewing implementing circular practices as “top-down” initiatives.
Resistance to revising Community Action Plans also complicates implementation. Addressing these challenges requires capacity-building programs, flexible procurement processes, and educational initiatives to foster community support/sector engagement and participation in circular economy projects.
How will the project drive economic growth?
The Hagshaw Energy Cluster could contribute to the £1.6 billion in added value between 2025 and 2035 through circular activities like refurbishing and remanufacturing turbine components, as identified in the 2023 BVG Associates report.
Plans for a turbine recycling centre will create local jobs and training opportunities. By prioritising local supply chains, businesses, and workers in areas like construction and hospitality will benefit.
Practical examples include reusing materials from decommissioned turbines for community projects, and demonstrating how circular economy principles can drive regional economic growth while supporting Scotland’s sustainability goals.
How can the circular economy benefit the local community?
The circular economy can transform local communities by creating jobs, supporting businesses, reducing costs in materials needs and improving public spaces.
Examples include repurposing wind farm infrastructure, including packaging materials for local infrastructure like benches and pathways.
Training programmes will equip residents with skills for green jobs in refurbishment and renewable energy. Community Action Plans incorporating circular principles will also fund initiatives like shared tool libraries and transport schemes.
These efforts keep resources local, strengthen economic resilience, and align with long-term sustainability goals, directly improving quality of life for residents.
We are working with Climate Action Lanark to identify further collaboration and community-based circular projects associated with the cluster.
How important is community engagement to your project?
Community engagement is vital for the Hagshaw Energy Cluster’s success, as recognised by the adoption of the Development Framework by two local authorities.
Collaboration with residents ensures circular initiatives align with their needs, from job opportunities to better infrastructure.
Zero Waste Scotland’s Circular Economy Delivery Group fosters trust and involvement through early engagement and dialogue.
By involving communities in projects like repurposing materials for public use, the cluster demonstrates the tangible benefits of circular practices.
Ongoing communication and participation are key to empowering communities and driving the cluster’s ambitious sustainability goals.
