It's going too slowly. This is how the trade association WindEurope's thoughts on the expansion of wind energy in Europe can be briefly summarized. Last year, according to the organization's estimates, 15.3 GW of wind energy was built in Europe: 13 GW onshore and 2.3 GW offshore. The EU accounted for 13 GW of this: 11.4 GW onshore and 1.6 GW offshore.
But this expansion is not at all big enough, because if the EU is to reach its energy and climate goals in 2030, the association must build 30 GW of new wind farms per year. According to WindEurope, there is therefore an urgent need for action in the areas of approval procedures, electricity grids and electrification. The organization states this in a press release.
- Europe is not building enough new wind farms for three main reasons: (a) most governments do not apply the good EU approval rules – they should follow Germany's example; (b) new connections to the electricity grid are delayed; and (c) Europe is not electrifying its economy fast enough. The EU must address all three problems at once. More wind means cheaper electricity and increased competitiveness, says WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.
The EU has adopted rules for permits. This has worked in Germany, as Giles Dickson highlights. Here, it is one of the few countries to implement EU approval rules in national law. This has led to Germany approving almost 15 GW of new onshore wind last year. This is a national record and seven times more than five years ago.
Wind generated 20 percent of all electricity used in Europe – and 19 percent in the EU. The EU wants this share to increase to 34 percent by 2030 and over 50 percent by 2050. However, according to WindEurope, electrification of the EU is not happening fast enough either. Only 23 percent of all energy consumed in the EU is electricity. This figure needs to increase to 61 percent by 2050. in 2050. The electrification rate is stagnating, especially in transport, heating and industry, says the trade association.
The electricity grid is the biggest bottleneck
However, the approval process for the construction of new renewable energy is not the biggest bottleneck for more wind energy. Here, WindEurope points instead to access to the electricity grid.
"Immediate action is required to remove restrictions on grid capacity. Right now, more than 500 GW of potential wind energy capacity is waiting to have their applications for grid connection assessed," says the organization.
WindEurope points to the offshore wind farm Borkum Riffgrund 3 in Germany as an example of this challenge. The wind farm is fully constructed, but is waiting for grid connection, which is not expected to come until 2026.
However, WindEurope notes two pieces of good news. This is due to a growing interest from companies in entering into power purchase agreements (PPAs). 50% of all electricity contracted through new PPAs in Europe in 2024 came from wind.
The organisation is also pleased that 37 GW was awarded in Europe through wind auctions, of which 29 GW in the EU, which is a record.
"In theory this is good news for future projects, but rapid action is required in the areas of permits, grids and electrification to deliver a significant increase in annual deployment," says WindEurope.
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