With an investment of nearly €10 million, the plant—located in the town of Cortes, Navarre—is expected to create up to 100 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade. The facility will focus on recycling components from renewable energy installations, one of the biggest medium- and long-term challenges facing the sector. The plant’s official launch was presided over by María Chivite, President of the Government of Navarre, who highlighted the region’s leadership in renewable energy at both the national and European levels, as well as the regional government’s strong commitment to the energy transition and the fight against climate change.
President Chivite was joined by Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola España; Iñigo Sanz, CEO of FCC Enviro; and Mikel Irujo, Regional Minister for Industry and Ecological and Digital Business Transition.
The Cortes facility is designed to process up to 10,000 tonnes of waste per year. Its main goal is to recover components from wind turbine blades—mostly glass fibres and resins—and reuse them in industries such as energy, aerospace, automotive, textiles, chemicals, and construction, thereby contributing to the energy transition and promoting the circular economy in Spain.
María Chivite, President of Navarre, remarked: “Green transition, competitiveness, circularity, and innovation are the pillars of the productive model we are promoting. This project fits that vision perfectly. EnergyLOOP is not just a cutting-edge initiative—it is a clear example of combining an innovative and circular industrial model with a green energy model. Technology serving a sustainable planet.
Furthermore, our government is making a strong effort to decentralise industrial activity. That’s why I want to highlight the importance of locating this pioneering plant in Cortes, in the Ribera region of Navarre.”
Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola España, added: “We’re inaugurating more than an industrial plant—we’re launching a new phase in the circular economy for renewable energy. This is the first facility on the Iberian Peninsula dedicated to wind blade recycling, and it’s a direct response to a challenge that’s already here. New technologies are enabling a sustainable energy transition while also creating jobs in rural areas. Repowering will be a new driving force in this circular cycle.”
For Iñigo Sanz, CEO of FCC Enviro: “The inauguration of the EnergyLOOP plant, following years of joint research and innovation by FCC and Iberdrola, marks a milestone on the path towards a more responsible and circular future.
This facility ushers in a new era where innovation and respect for the planet go hand in hand. At FCC, we will continue to tackle new challenges and explore additional applications for recovered materials.” He also stressed the need for European and public institutional support for the repowering of photovoltaic installations, and for the promotion of recycled blade materials, to ensure the viability of projects like EnergyLOOP—key for the circular economy.
The project is supported by the Government of Navarre, as it is considered strategic for the region, helping position Navarre at the forefront of the renewable energy sector through technological innovation and circularity. For this reason, it was declared a Project of Regional Interest in 2023 and received full institutional backing.
The initiative also benefits from a grant from IDAE (Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving), under the PERTE for Circular Repowering scheme. In particular, Programme 3 supports the development of recycling plants such as EnergyLOOP. The project has also received strong support from Sodena, Navarre’s public development agency, which has been closely involved and committed from the start.
Navarre’s Renewable Ecosystem
Navarre is a European pioneer and reference in renewable energy production, with a long-standing commitment to technological and industrial development that has helped establish global standards in wind energy.
The sector ranks third in importance in the region—behind the automotive and agri-food industries—and is supported by a robust industrial network of more than 110 companies. These businesses represent 10% of industrial employment and generate a turnover of €4.5 billion, equivalent to 5% of the regional GDP. Additionally, it is Navarre’s second-largest export sector, mainly through the manufacture of wind turbines and their components.
The region’s dense industrial fabric spans the entire value chain, including a major renewable energy operator (Acciona Energía), and two major OEMs: Siemens Gamesa and Nordex-Acciona Windpower. Numerous SMEs also stand out for their high added value in specific components such as blades, control systems, bearings, and gearboxes. For more information on Navarre’s renewable energy ecosystem, see [this link].
Source: Diario de Navarra