WATCH Wind turbine blade given new life in Donegal

A decommissioned wind turbine blade at Meenadreen Wind Farm in south Donegal has been turned into a rest area and memorial for walkers in a pioneering project by Energia Group and County Cork start-up BladeBridge.

The fibre-reinforced polymer blade, replaced during routine maintenance in 2020, now forms a 9-metre sculptural bench with picnic tables, along with a shelter and memorial sculpture dedicated to one of the wind farm’s original operation teams. The installation is located on the Leghowney Loop trail, a popular walking route through the site.

Energia said the project shows how decommissioned turbine blades, which are difficult to recycle, can be given a second life, avoiding landfill while supporting a circular economy. Brian Mullen, head of Energia Renewables Operations, said it represents innovative engineering and design promoting environmental stewardship.

The memorial honours Jimmy Kelly, a member of the original Meenadreen team and one of Ireland’s early wind energy pioneers. His brother, Paul Kelly, said: “Jimmy was devoted to protecting the environment at work and at home. He would definitely approve of this repurposed blade. It will be here for decades and shows how the wind industry is addressing the challenge of managing decommissioned turbine blades sustainably.”

BladeBridge, which has previously used turbine blades for pedestrian bridges and bus shelters, said this is the first project returning a repurposed blade to its original site. Simon Dennehy, the company’s creative director, said: “These blades are amazing, organic, undulating structures. We want people to know they are sitting on or standing under something that was once part of a wind turbine, now set to last for decades.”