Winds of change needed to support European energy transition

The scale of the challenges the European wind industry is facing at all levels of the value chain is unprecedented, and consequently Europe is falling drastically behind schedule in the race to reach its ambitious wind energy goals by 2030. Meeting these targets is key for decarbonization and to deliver on the 2050 net zero target, and requires a healthy, resilient industry that is able to invest in the future.    

The knock-on effect of Covid-19, increased energy costs, and trade barriers continue to disrupt the global supply chain. This has been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has highlighted the importance of energy security and which must be a top priority for Europe as we look to build a sustainable, long-term plan that accelerates the green transition. Reducing Europe’s dependency on fossil fuel imports from Russia is a key focus of the REPowerEU plan, which has faster expansion of wind energy and other renewables at its core.    

The support of policymakers is crucial if we are to create a healthy wind industry in Europe. The REPowerEU plan marks a brilliant step towards building our future and crucially acknowledges the fundamental need to increase market volumes, simplify the permitting of new renewable energy projects and improve supporting infrastructure. While most EU countries have ambitious national targets for the expansion of wind energy, permission remains the main bottleneck. Without the permissions and infrastructure in place to support wind energy, Europe is in jeopardy.  In addition, the huge investment required to develop new and more efficient turbines could prove to be another obstacle and new models for financing, potentially including more government involvement, need to be explored.  

At the North Sea Summit in Esbjerg, Heads of Governments from Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands took another enormous step toward reaching the EU’s climate neutrality goal by co-signing a joint declaration that will make the North Sea a green powerhouse for Europe. Together, the four countries want to harvest at least 150 GW of offshore wind in 2050.    

It is good to see continued momentum and growth in wind, but time is running out and there needs to be a concerted effort in this decade to exponentially accelerate wind deployment to deliver on the 2050 net zero target. Now is the time for us to all think bigger. Our industry must work together in harness with governments, regulators, and investors to encourage the growth of renewables in key markets to develop a secure energy supply free from geopolitical tension.  

Europe must step up and stand behind wind to protect the future of Europe’s environment and economy before the net zero goal is beyond our reach. Only by meeting its commitments to wind energy with tangible and urgent action can Europe get back on track in its journey to a #greentransition and energy security supply. Together, we can do it.   

#windenergy #renewableenergy #netzero