There is a major challenge confronting European wind energy – and it is a challenge the industry and policy-makers must face before it is too late. Back in 2000, wind power accounted for only 12 GW of power in Europe. Since then, the industry has spent years growing, maturing, and becoming one of the great European success stories of recent times. By summer 2019, an incredible 194 GW of wind power has been installed. Today, more than 100,000 wind turbines across the continent form the backbone of an industry that already supports 300,000 European jobs. And these numbers are set to grow, with the right policy framework in place. The IEA forecasts that wind farm plants will be the leading form of European power generation by 2027.
On the surface, there is a lot to be happy about.
But
within the next 15 years, a large section of Europe’s wind turbines
will come to the end of its projected lifetime. And while this is a
natural part of the life-cycle for any energy technology, the wind power
industry cannot afford to be complacent about what this loss will mean.
To put it into perspective: in the next 5 years alone, 22 GW of
Europe’s wind farms will reach 20 years of age. This is over ten per
cent of Europe’s wind farm capacity, and it could easily be removed from
our energy mix if we fail to address the end-of-life issue. This will
impact on our ability to reach both European and national renewable
energy targets.
The time has come to make serious, informed
decisions about lifetime extension and repowering, decommissioning and
recycling. These decisions will need to be site-specific,
project-specific, and country-specific. This is a reality our industry
has been addressing for a number of years now. Over 50 repowered
projects have already taken place across Europe.
But it’s not simply a question for industry: it’s mainly a question of policy.
When
the European Commission recently published its recommendations on
European countries’ draft National Energy and Climate Plans, repowering
was rightly highlighted as one of the most important means through which
Europe can achieve its climate ambitions. Yet repowering is mentioned
in only 6 of the National Plans, and without substantial detail.
National Governments now have only a few months to finalise the Plans
and ensure they become genuine investment brochures for renewables.
Repowering and lifetime extension will be an essential part of any
workable energy strategy in line with the increased European renewable
energy goal of 32% for 2030.
On 5 September, WindEurope’s
End-of-Life Issues and Strategies (EoLIS) seminar in Belgium will
outline a coordinated, industry-wide approach to the end-of-life
challenge. As the first event of its kind to be dedicated exclusively to
end-of-life issues, this seminar will gather speakers from the worlds
of policy, academia, industry and more to draw up a clear solution to
the end-of-life challenge.
We have spent decades building a better future for Europe. If we fail to act now, we risk losing it.
Find out more about WindEurope’s End-of-Life Issues and Strategies (EoLIS) seminar.
