Wind Power EUs Plan to Dominate Offshore and Onshore Markets

The European Union (EU) leads the world in renewable energy. Wind power is crucial for this success. It will help the EU hit its renewable energy targets. The goal is carbon neutrality by 2050.

Ambitious policies and investments developed wind power in the EU. European companies gained key experience early on. Denmark installed the first offshore wind farm in 1991.

European companies manufacture wind turbine components. They also make foundations and cables. EU firms hold 27% of the global wind market share. They dominate the global offshore market with 58% of the total.

Developers are exploring floating offshore turbines. These turbines access stronger winds further out at sea. Several pilot projects are active now. Deployment will increase toward the end of this decade.

The wind sector significantly boosts the EU economy. It creates sustainable, long-term jobs. In 2022, the wind industry provided about 300,000 jobs in the EU. REPowerEU targets project this number will rise sharply. By 2030, this sector could support 936,000 jobs.

Wind energy supports the EU’s climate neutrality transition. It drives growth and job creation. We offer sustainable solutions too. You can learn more when you Shop Our Products.

To accelerate European wind manufacturing, the Commission acted. They presented the EU Wind Power Package in October 2023. This package includes two main initiatives.

One initiative is the European Wind Power Action Plan. The other is a communication on offshore wind ambitions. The Action Plan has six pillars. These pillars focus on faster permitting and better auctions. They also cover finance access and fair international competition. Skills and industry commitment are key areas too.

The plan lists 15 urgent actions. Most EU countries and industry leaders signed a European Wind Charter. This happened on December 19, 2023. They agreed to voluntary commitments. Twenty-one EU countries submitted specific pledges. These pledges accelerate onshore and offshore wind deployment through 2026.

The Commission communication stresses investment in offshore wind. It also covers ocean energies.

The EU has about 16.3 GW of total offshore capacity. To meet commitments, new installations must increase dramatically. They need to average almost 12 GW per year. This is ten times more than the 1.2 GW installed in 2022. The communication identifies six areas needing progress. This progress will speed up offshore capacity rollout.

The EU must double the share of renewables by 2030. This makes stable, long-term investment critical. EU countries must publish schedules for renewable support. These schedules must cover at least five years ahead.

The RES Auctions Platform launched in May 2024. It details planned EU auctions. It lists timing, frequency, volumes, and budgets. This platform serves as a central information point. It helps the industry plan investments better. It increases bankability and strengthens business cases.

Wind is a clean and abundant energy source. We use it to generate electricity. Wind power works on land (onshore) or at sea (offshore).

Improved manufacturing lowered wind power costs. Better turbine design also helped. More performant turbines generate more electricity per unit. This reaffirms wind power’s role in the clean energy transition.

In 2024, wind energy provided 39.1% of all renewable electricity in the EU. Installed wind capacity steadily increases. However, we still need more capacity to meet 2030 targets. The EU commits to ramping up both onshore and offshore wind. You can always Read Our Blog for more insights into clean energy policy.

Reference: Inspired by content from https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/eu-wind-energy_en.