We are pleased to announce the launch of a new research collaboration between Dublin City University and the Rediscovery Centre, supported by Research Ireland’s New Foundations 2024 scheme.

Titled A Wasted Transition? Community-based circular economy opportunities for renewable energy infrastructure repair and recovery work (AWT Project), this 1-year project investigates the often-overlooked labour, processes, and potentials associated with the repair, decommissioning, and material recovery of renewable energy infrastructures – particularly wind and solar.

Led by Dr Kathleen Stokes (DCU), Padraig Flynn and Dr Jack McCarthy (Rediscovery Centre), the project responds to growing concerns around waste, critical materials, and the long-term sustainability of energy systems, while also considering how repair and recovery work might generate inclusive employment and training opportunities aligned with just transition goals. It also asks how community-based and circular economy approaches might be integrated into Ireland’s energy transition. 

Over the remainder of 2025, we will map current practices, identify existing gaps and opportunities, and engage with stakeholders across energy, waste, policy, and community sectors. Activities include desk research, stakeholder mapping, group interviews, site visits, and the development of a policy briefing, academic publications, and a public event.

As part of this research, we are currently conducting a questionnaire to help identify key actors and processes related to the repair and recovery of Ireland’s renewable energy infrastructures. The questionnaire invites input from those with experience related to renewable energy, waste, and/or circular economy in Ireland. It is short (taking about 15 minutes to complete), and focuses on current businesses and initiatives, policy supports, and perceived opportunities and gaps for renewable energy repair, decommissioning, and recycling/waste management.

We would like to invite anyone working in, or adjacent to, these areas to get in touch if they are interested in participating or learning more about the project. If you are working in a relevant area or would like to participate in the questionnaire or broader research activities, please contact: kathleen.stokes@dcu.ie

We hope this project will contribute to academic and policy conversations on infrastructure, labour, and just transitions, while fostering connections for future collaborative research and practice. 

We look forward to hearing from you, and please watch this space for project updates.

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