Europe's wind power expansion lags tremendously

According to WindEurope's 2021 annual statistics, the EU built only 11 GW of new wind farms in 2021 and will build 18 GW annually in 2022-26, says a forecast. To meet its 2030 renewables targets the EU will need 30 GW per year of new wind power.

81% of new wind capacity in Europe last year was onshore wind. The most new capacity was added in the UK, Sweden, Germany, Turkey and the Netherlands. Sweden built the most onshore wind turbines, the UK the most offshore wind turbines.

The WindEurope annual statistics also give an outlook for the period 2022-2026 - and do not bode well. WindEurope projects that the EU will build an average of 18 GW per year of new wind farms over the next five years. This is better than in 2021, but still significantly less than the EU would actually need to build to meet its target of 40% renewables by 2030.

Three quarters of new installations in 2022-26 will still be onshore wind. Germany is expected to install the most new wind capacity over the next five years, followed by the UK, France, Spain and Sweden.

"These low volumes undermine the Green Deal. And they’re hurting Europe’s wind energy supply chain,” criticises Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope.

Permitting is still the problem with expansion. In Europe, not nearly as many new wind farms are being approved as are needed. And almost none of the member states are meeting the deadlines for permitting required by the EU's Renewable Energy Directive. Permitting rules and procedures are too complex. Permitting authorities are not always adequately staffed.

In a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, WindEurope explains how the low number of approved projects affects European wind turbine manufacturers and the entire supply chain. And how the industry is also struggling with higher prices for steel and other raw materials - and disrupted international supply chains. In 2021, four of the five European wind turbine manufacturers were operating at a loss.

“The European wind industry is losing money, closing factories and shedding jobs – just when it should be growing to meet the huge expansion of wind power Europe wants. If this continues, the Green Deal is in trouble, not to mention Europe’s energy security goals,” Dickson said.

At the same time, compliance with the European Green Deal is essential right now, because it offers energy security as well as jobs and innovation. Even before the war between Russia and Ukraine, it was clear that Europe must rapidly expand renewable energies. Last year's high energy prices only reinforce this need. They show how dangerous it is that Europe imports 58% of its energy and is particularly dependent on expensive fossil fuel imports, often from unreliable sources. They show that Europe's industry and businesses urgently need more renewable energy 'made in Europe' - not least because renewable energy is cheaper than fossil energy.

Dickson said: "Europe needs to act now to ensure its renewables ambitions can be delivered by European companies and European workers. The solutions are there: simplify permitting, boost innovation and ensure Governments recognise and reward the value the European industry brings to society, the environment and the energy transition."