Recycling Renewable Energy Infrastructure

As Australia scales up its renewable energy capacity, we must also consider what happens at the end of a project’s life. Wind turbines, solar farms, and transmission towers are built to last for decades, but eventually, they will need to be replaced. What happens to those materials when that time comes?

The good news is that much of the infrastructure used in clean energy projects can be recycled, reducing waste and keeping valuable materials in use. InfraBuild can help close the loop by recycling all steel from decommissioned renewable energy projects, including wind turbines, solar panel frames and transmission towers, supporting a circular economy for cleaner energy.

Keeping clean energy infrastructure out of landfill

The Clean Energy Council highlights the importance of responsible decommissioning and recycling for Australia’s renewable energy transition.

“The Clean Energy Council advocates for responsible decommissioning and waste management at the end of a renewable energy project’s life. This commitment is included in our Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Projects, to which there are over 50 leading renewable energy companies as signatories.”

Steel plays a major role in renewable energy infrastructure, from the towers of wind turbines to the framing of solar panels and transmission towers. InfraBuild’s recycling facilities can process and reuse all steel from decommissioned renewable projects, cutting down on waste and supporting a lower carbon future. By using electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, InfraBuild is recycling steel to make new steel, reducing emissions and making the process more sustainable.

“We’re able to help project owners recover and recycle steel at the end of a renewable asset’s life,” says Grant Schmidt, Executive General Manager Recycling and Transformation Office. “That material stays in Australia, gets processed locally and becomes part of the next project. It is a practical way to support sustainability goals and reduce reliance on new resources.”

Responsible decommissioning: What happens to end-of-life renewables?

Project owners are responsible for decommissioning clean energy infrastructure, which includes removing equipment, restoring land and recycling materials where possible. While some materials require specialised processing, steel is one of the easiest to recover and reuse.

InfraBuild can work with project owners and contractors to recover steel from renewable energy sites, process it in local mills and give it a second life in new infrastructure. Using EAF technology, this recycled steel helps build future projects while lowering carbon emissions.

Strengthening Australia’s circular economy

As global competition for materials increases, Australia has a major opportunity to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing by using recycled steel in new energy projects.

By choosing InfraBuild steel, we can reduce the demand for newly mined resources, lower emissions from material production and build a more resilient supply chain for renewable energy projects.

A sustainable future for energy and industry

Australia has an ambition to meet net zero, and that means thinking beyond how we generate energy to how we manage materials at every stage of the process. InfraBuild is committed to supporting the full lifecycle of clean energy infrastructure, ensuring that steel from wind, solar and transmission projects stays in use for generations to come.

By working together, the clean energy and steel industries can create a genuine circular economy, one that keeps valuable materials in Australia and supports a more sustainable future.

Want to learn more? Download our brochure or contact us to discuss recycling solutions for renewable energy projects.