China Accelerates Recycling of Wind Power and PV Equipment

China Moves to Strengthen Renewable-Energy Equipment Recycling

China recycling wind power photovoltaic equipment is set for faster regulatory development as the country moves to strengthen management of decommissioned renewable-energy assets and waste from emerging industries. According to multiple media reports on August 18, Wang Shancheng, Director-General of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said the country will accelerate the formulation of administrative measures covering the recycling and utilization of retired wind-power and photovoltaic equipment. The initiative forms part of a broader push to improve resource efficiency and build a more systematic circular-economy framework as renewable-energy and electrified transport deployment continues to expand.

Closed-Loop System Planned for New Three Industries

By 2030, China aims to establish a comprehensive closed-loop management system covering the full recycling and utilization chain for solid waste generated by the “new three” industries: electric vehicles, Li-ion batteries, and solar cells. The planned framework is intended to address the growing volume of end-of-life equipment and materials associated with these sectors, while improving collection, dismantling, processing, and resource recovery. The policy direction also indicates a stronger emphasis on lifecycle management, rather than treating recycling as a separate end-of-life activity. This could create clearer responsibilities and operating requirements for businesses involved in resource recovery and circular-economy activities.

Stricter Controls Planned for New Energy Vehicles

The measures will also tighten controls over the treatment of new energy vehicles (NEVs) at the end of their service lives. China will strictly enforce the requirement that NEVs be scrapped with their batteries intact and will crack down on illegal or non-compliant recycling and dismantling activities. The approach is designed to reduce risks associated with improper battery handling and prevent valuable materials from entering uncontrolled recycling channels. By strengthening oversight at the vehicle-scrapping stage, the policy direction connects end-of-life vehicle management with battery resource recovery and supports more orderly development of the recycling chain for electrified vehicles.

Circular-Economy Infrastructure and Research to Be Upgraded

Beyond specific recycling requirements, China plans to promote industrial upgrading across the circular economy and support the development of national key laboratories focused on resource recycling. Authorities will also accelerate the modernization of dismantling capabilities for major recyclable resources, including end-of-life electromechanical equipment, vehicles, and electrical and electronic products. These measures point toward a broader effort to improve technical capacity, processing efficiency, and resource recovery quality. The combination of regulatory development, research support, and upgraded dismantling infrastructure could strengthen the foundations needed for higher-value recycling while helping the country manage increasing volumes of equipment reaching the end of its useful life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is China planning for wind-power and photovoltaic equipment recycling?
China plans to accelerate the formulation of administrative measures governing the recycling and utilization of decommissioned wind-power and photovoltaic equipment. The initiative is part of a wider circular-economy strategy intended to improve the collection, dismantling, processing, and recovery of materials from end-of-life renewable-energy assets. By developing clearer administrative requirements, authorities aim to strengthen lifecycle resource management and prepare the recycling system for increasing volumes of retired equipment. The policy direction also supports broader efforts to upgrade recycling capabilities and improve resource efficiency across emerging industries and established recyclable-resource sectors.

What will change for new energy vehicle battery recycling?
China will strictly enforce requirements for new energy vehicles to be scrapped with their batteries intact and will target illegal or non-compliant recycling and dismantling activities. The measure is intended to improve control over batteries when vehicles reach the end of their service lives and reduce the risks associated with improper handling. It also supports a more organized recycling chain for electric vehicles and Li-ion batteries. Together with the planned closed-loop system for the “new three” industries, the approach places greater emphasis on controlled recovery, resource utilization, and compliance throughout the end-of-life management process.