Wind energy installations in the EU went up by a third to 15GW in 2022.

This is an encouraging result given the challenges the industry faces, but more is needed for the EU to accomplish its climate targets, writes wind lobby group WindEurope in a press release issued Wednesday.

”15GW new wind in 2022 is not too bad given the challenges faced last year by Europe’s wind industry. It’s not enough for the EU’s energy targets, but governments know the latter can only be achieved if they simplify the permitting rules and procedures – and there are now signs of progress on this,” notes WindEurope Chief Executive Officer Giles Dickson: 

”Less encouraging is the slowdown in investments in new wind farms. Confusion about electricity market rules is turning investors away. The EU must make Europe an attractive place for renewables investments again.” 

Permit bottlenecks

According to WindEurope, permit processes are marked by major bottlenecks. Projects totaling 80GW in capacity are currently ”stuck” in permitting procedures across Europe.

Germany, Sweden, and Finland are in the lead on new installations, followed by Spain and France, and 90% of the newly installed capacity is onshore wind.

In the first 11 months of 2022, the total number of new investments in wind farms in EU comes to just 12GW of new capacity. WindEurope notes that this is far below the investment level needed for the EU to reach its 2030 climate and energy targets.

Investments in European supply chain

A crucial element for solving some of the challenges that the European industry faces is to invest in an industrial base in Europe.

”Last year’s 33% increase in new installations shows that the European wind industry is stepping up to the challenge. But the current cost pressures leave our companies with little room for urgently needed new investments,” remarks Dickson: 

”If the EU is serious about its energy and climate targets, it should facilitate these investments in our supply chain: factories, skilled workers, grids, raw materials and vessels.” 

The EU pursues an overall target of reducing CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels while also seeking to increase the proportion of renewable energy generation and consumption to 27%.

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