The ancients knew them as pédila or talaria—the sandals of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Woven from palm branches and myrtle, these shoes, adorned with two pairs of wings, symbolized swift travel through the air. Hermes, known as Mercury to the Romans, guided sailors, merchants, and wanderers, embodying the spirit of exploration.
Centuries later, a shoe once again finds kinship with the wind. Specifically, with the “cierzo,” “solano,” “faviano,” “ipar haizea,” or “haize egoa” winds that sweep through the mountains and valleys of Navarre, a northern region in Spain. These winds power the turbines at ACCIONA Energía’s Aibar wind farm, generating clean energy.
A single 23-meter blade harnesses wind to produce 12,500 megawatt hours, preventing the emission of 5,461 tons of CO2—akin to the air-purifying effect of 4,160 trees. When one of these blades, after a long service since 1998, completed its cycle, a new challenge emerged: giving it a second life by fashioning limited-edition El Ganso sneakers.
In 2022, ACCIONA Energy sealed a collaboration with one of Spain’s trailblazing fashion houses, fueled by a joint commitment to sustainability. This resulted in our debut project: repurposing materials from retired wind blades—primarily fiberglass and epoxy resins—fused with rubber to create a line of eco-conscious footwear.
In ACCIONA Energía, our global waste recycling rate stands at 98%.
The final El Ganso x ACCIONA sneaker model boasts a unique design featuring both brand logos and a nod to the origin of the reclaimed material used in its soles. Thus, the Aibar wind farm blade embarks on a new journey, now grounded yet alive. This article shares the tale of how this remarkable transformation unfolded.
Footwear is just one avenue for “retired” blades. The second-hand market and pilot projects, like using materials for solar panel torsion beams, have been explored. Yet, the wind energy sector seeks more ambitious solutions for the multitude of blades reaching the end of their life expectancy.
In Spain alone, an estimated 20,000 blades will require recycling in the coming years. ACCIONA Energía, part of the RenerCycle consortium, alongside industry leaders, plans to invest 6.5 million euros by 2025, including establishing a blade recycling plant in Navarre.
The El Ganso x ACCIONA sneakers epitomize a philosophy ingrained in ACCIONA’s ethos: maximizing resources and rejuvenating them post-cycle—a principle known as the circular economy.
Since 2021, ACCIONA Energy has upheld a Circular Economy Policy, aiming for a 100% recycling rate across all projects. Currently, our global waste recycling rate stands at 98%, showcasing our success in repurposing waste across diverse sectors—be it in construction, land restoration, fertilizer production, cement manufacturing, or, now, in sustainable fashion.
These sneakers represent a small yet impactful stride toward a larger goal—a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainable development in the decades to come.
In many respects, it is a living museum. The beauty of its architecture, and the antiquated machinery sparkling within its halls, are a delight to behold. But a century after construction, Seira hydroelectric power station is still generating clean energy.
