Acciona has created the world’s first surfboards made from decommissioned wind turbine blades.
The company joined forces with Australian pro-surfer Josh Kerr (pictured) and his surfboard brand Draft Surf to produce a high-performance prototype.
Crafted from a decommissioned blade from Acciona’s Waubra wind farm in Victoria, an initial range of 10 prototype boards have been made as part of Acciona’s Turbine Made initiative, which was launched in February.
The project is Australia’s first initiative dedicated to exploring innovative ways to transform decommissioned wind turbine blades into new materials and products.
The surfboards, hand-crafted on the Gold Coast, feature repurposed turbine blade strips built into the deck for strength and flex control.
The fins of the board, made from recycled fibreglass, provide stability, drive and speed and the outer shell is further strengthened by incorporating recycled turbine blade particulate into the fibreglassing process.
Draft Surf founder Josh Kerr said: “When Acciona approached us about being part of the solution and working together to create these surfboards, we jumped at the opportunity.
“At its core, our brand is about enabling the best surfing experience with quality products, in a sustainable way – which aligns with Acciona’s vision for Turbine Made.”
Acciona Energia’s global sustainability director Mariola Domenech said: “We know that in the next 10 to 15 years countries like Australia will have a large volume of decommissioned wind turbine blades, so we’re acting now to explore new ways to recycle and reuse the material they are built from.
“The creation of a surfboard prototype, developed locally, is an example of how we’re reimagining the materials from decommissioned turbine blades and pushing the envelope of innovation when it comes to the circular economy.”
The Turbine Made initiative builds on Acciona’s previous work to repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades.
This has included a collaboration with European fashion brand El Ganso to create running shoes featuring recycled blade material in their soles, as well as the integration of recycled blade materials into the torsion beams of solar trackers at a solar plant in Extremadura, Spain.
Acciona is also advancing in end-of-life turbine recycling through a blade recycling plant in Navarra, Spain, which is set to become operational in 2026.