Written question WQ99947
- Asked by
- Steve BaylissReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
Further to WQ99485, how many facilities in Wales are permitted to receive asbestos waste from wind turbine decommissioning and what assessment has been made of whether disposal capacity is sufficient for turbines reaching end of life over the next decade and if none, will the Welsh Government commission and publish one?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language (Anna Brychan)
The precise number of sites permitted to accept asbestos waste can change over time as permits are issued, varied, or surrendered, and the most up to date information is held by NRW.
The Welsh Government has not undertaken a Wales-specific assessment of future disposal capacity for asbestos waste arising from wind turbine decommissioning over the next decade and have no plans to commission one. Current arrangements are based on the regulatory framework operated by NRW, which monitors waste management capacity and infrastructure requirements across Wales. As the volume of wind energy infrastructure approaching end of life increases, we will continue to work with NRW, industry and other stakeholders to monitor waste management needs, including those associated with hazardous materials.