Share

Wind Power
The potential of wooden wind turbine components
This time on the Wind Power Podcast, we spoke with two business leaders at the forefront of re-introducing wooden materials to the contemporary wind industry — Maria-Lina Hedlund, the CEO of wooden wind turbine tower company, Modvion, and Gustavo Lasierra, the co-founder of wooden blade manufacturer Voodin Blades.
Humans have used wooden components to harness the power of the wind for centuries, and now the material is seeing a renaissance with these companies that claim wood is ideally suited for use in modern wind turbine manufacturing from towers to blades.
Modvion and Voodin Blades use layers of wood called laminated veneer lumber (LVL) in their towers and blades respectively, and point out the many advantages using this material can have for wind power, from the cost savings and strength to weight ratios to lower maintenance actions and greater sustainability.
Both firms have faced challenges getting the necessary approvals and permits from the relevant authorities to use their components with contemporary wind turbines, but are now seeking to expand their offering through partnerships with some of the major names in the European wind industry.
This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.
Windpower Monthly is now on Bluesky – follow us at @windpowermonthly.bsky.social for all the latest updates.
More episodes
View all episodes

Space-Comm Expo: Jamming, spoofing, FOMO and farming
20:34|What did the Space-Comm Expo conference and exhibition tell us about connecting space and wider business? How does this manifest as tech connectivity in telecoms and why do farmers care about that? What did we learn about the benefits of extreme cold in manufacturing laboratories and why do pharmas care about that? How vulnerable are global logistics to the spoofing of navigation signals? And why is the UK government centralising space strategy in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology? Join Alice and Jonners as they reflect on the UK space sector’s largest trade event and the “energy, diversity and …sheer scope of what this industry has to offer”. Contributors:Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedInUKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Jonathan Daves, The Karman LineJonathan Daves | LinkedIn Subscribe to The Karman LineApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-k%C3%A1rm%C3%A1n-line/id1876605462Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qED4CgdRDxfKKzYNKZCIH?si=lZ-I4a19SPGLAJL-dHi4DQYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheKármánLineUKKey topics covered:Space-Comm Expo, London, March 2026Conference overviewSector integrationInsuranceCustomer utilityGovernment roleFuture outlook Technological advancements· Telecoms· Manufacturing Defence and security· Satellite capabilities· Current threats
68. The rise of misinformation and disinformation in wind power
43:36||Season 1, Ep. 68The Global Wind Energy Council’s (GWEC) chief executive Ben Backwell and researcher Kevin Winter join the Wind Power podcast to discuss the rise of misinformation and disinformation around wind power, and how misleading claims are shaping public debate about the sector.Backwell explains why false narratives about wind power continue to circulate and how organised disinformation campaigns can take hold, particularly as the rapid growth of renewable energy prompts political pushback.Winter, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Hohenheim, also discusses findings from his 2024 study on public agreement with misinformation about wind farms, which explores how widely such claims are believed and what drives their appeal.This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.
Why the business of space is everyone’s business
43:05|As of 2026, the UK space industry is a significant and strategic driver of the national economy, contributing over £19 billion in revenue and supporting tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs. Satellite-based services and data underpin roughly 18% of UK GDP, equivalent to approximately £454 billion of the wider economy. And the sector is growing exponentially.But this is just the tip of the iceberg. For the space industry to fully realise its potential it needs more of the right people to understand what’s happening and get involved. People like policy makers, investors, regulators, planners, communicators, lawyers and consultants.Dr Alice Bunn, the president of UK Space, and her panel of guests, Sam Alden co-CEO of Space Solar, Nick Shave managing director of Astroscale and Anushka Sharma founder of Naaut, discuss the surprising, awe inspiring business of space and make the compelling case for why more companies and investors should get involved. Contributors:Host:Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedInUKspace: Overview | LinkedInGuests:Nick Shave, Managing Director of AstroscaleNick Shave FRAeS | LinkedInAstroscale: Overview | LinkedInSam Adlen, CEO of Space SolarSam Adlen | LinkedInSpace Solar: Overview | LinkedInAnushka Sharma, founder of NaautAnushka Sharma | LinkedInNaaut: About | LinkedInKey topics covered:Impact of Space on Everyday LifePractical ApplicationsEnvironmental MonitoringGlobal SecuritySustainability and Innovation in OrbitSpace DebrisManufacturing in MicrogravitySpace-Based Solar PowerEconomic and Regulatory LandscapeCost ReductionInvestment and FinanceRegulation and PolicyThe Future of Space ExplorationNew PlatformsAcademic Contribution
67. WindEurope’s new CEO on targets, sanctions and Trump
30:55||Season 1, Ep. 67Tinne Van der Straeten, the new chief executive of WindEurope, talks to the Wind Power podcast about her priorities as she takes up her post at the trade body. In a wide-ranging interview, Van der Straeten, a former energy minister in the Belgian government, spoke about how to meet European wind targets, changing public opinion towards wind power, and whether a firm hand is needed for EU member states that are lagging on faster permitting rules.Van der Straeten also answered questions on whether the EU’s wind installation targets can be met without the input of Chinese manufacturers and gave her reaction to an analysis that suggests Europe could gain from US president Donald Trump’s antipathy towards wind power.This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.
66. News review: EU’s Goldwind probe | North Sea offshore wind
26:19||Season 1, Ep. 66Welcome to the Wind Power News Review – hosted by Windpower Monthly’s senior reporter Robyn White and reporter Orlando Jenkinson, joined by regular panellist Shashi Barla.In this episode, we lead with the European Union’s scrutiny of Chinese turbine manufacturer Goldwind, after the European Commission launched an investigation into whether the company has benefited from foreign subsidies that distort competition within the bloc. What could the probe mean for Europe’s industrial policy, supply chains, and its broader relationship with China on clean energy?We also turn to the North Sea, where governments have reaffirmed their ambition to deliver 100GW of offshore wind capacity across the region. With political momentum returning after a turbulent period for the sector, can this renewed cooperation translate into projects on the water – or will cost pressures and policy uncertainty continue to slow progress?This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.
65. ‘Only wind power can meet growing energy needs of the US’
14:47||Season 1, Ep. 65Speaking at the February 2025 Blades USA conference, delegates predicted how they thought the US wind industry would fare under the then newly elected Trump administration.Experts in turbine blade repairs, operations and maintenance and fire safety spoke to Windpower Monthly editor Ian Griggs about their concerns for the growth of the industry in the US and about how the acceleration of AI may create an irresistible economic imperative for new wind power.This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.
64. UK's record-breaking auction sends 'clear signal' on offshore wind's future
28:49||Season 1, Ep. 64The UK’s latest offshore wind auction round stunned the European wind industry when the results were announced this month, with a record-breaking 8.4GW of new capacity awarded. This time on the Wind Power Podcast, we speak with two experts on UK offshore wind to discuss why the auction was so successful, how other markets are responding, and what the results could mean for the UK’s energy transition going forward. The scale of the auction was celebrated by the wind industry in providing a welcome boost for offshore wind, which has faced mounting economic and political turmoil in recent years. This success is analysed in depth with a focus on the auction’s boosted budget, contract for difference mechanism and strike prices. Meanwhile, other European markets that recently committed to a massive expansion of offshore wind in the coming years are taking note. This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.
63. Christmas special: What were the biggest industry themes in 2025?
15:13||Season 1, Ep. 63Windpower Monthly editor Ian Griggs and reporters Robyn White and Orlando Jenkinson talk about the issues and themes which defined 2025 for them in this special Christmas edition of the Wind Power podcast.The conversation covered Donald Trump's election in the US and the effect on the country's wind power targets China's runaway ambition on wind technology and build-out and the finances of the major OEMs.Also in this episode, the team talks about some of the stories they enjoyed working on.This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.