Europe is still not building enough wind farms. Slow and cumbersome permitting remains a key hurdle. National Governments were meant to transpose the good new EU permitting rules (from the Renewable Energy Directive) by July 2024. Most of them have still not done so. Or if they have, the implementation has not happened correctly. The … Continue reading Europe still takes too long to permit wind power plants
Continue readingTag Archives: EU
Energy transition outlook: EU
These are challenging times for Europe’s energy transition. The EU Parliament and national governments emerged from 2024 elections more fragmented as parties deprioritising low-carbon agendas and critical of established policies made gains. The ongoing Russia/Ukraine war continues to shine a spotlight on energy security and the role of renewables in displacing imported gas. Meanwhile, Trump’s … Continue reading Energy transition outlook: EU
Continue reading
EU boosts energy infrastructure with €1.25bn in grants
The European Commission has allocated nearly €1.25bn in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The grants will support 41 cross-border energy infrastructure projects, among them three important wind energy-related projects. That’s good news for Europe’s wind industry and its wider energy transition. The European Commission announced the results of the largest funding round of … Continue reading EU boosts energy infrastructure with €1.25bn in grants
Continue reading
New study doubles EU wind power potential
Bigger wind turbines and relaxed minimum distance rules from buildings have doubled Europe’s potential for commercially viable wind power since a similar assessment just seven years ago. France and Spain alone could generate enough electricity equivalent to the EU’s projected 2050 demand of around 4,000 TWh, new modelling by the bloc’s researchers at the JRC … Continue reading New study doubles EU wind power potential
Continue reading
EU Commission sets the direction for its competitiveness strategy
The European Commission presented its ‘Competitiveness Compass’ a blueprint for actions to restore the competitiveness of the European economy. The document is good. It emphasises the need to accelerate the clean energy transition and boost electrification. Crucially, the Compass says the EU must have flexible and supportive State aid rules to help energy-intensive industries to … Continue reading EU Commission sets the direction for its competitiveness strategy
Continue reading
Wind power, at 17%, overtook coal and natural gas in Europe
“Fossil fuels are losing their influence in EU energy,” said Chris Rosslowe, lead author of the Ember report. “Wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) are pushing coal to the margins and forcing gas into structural decline.” The phase-out of fossil fuels is helping to curb emissions. Since peaking in 2007, European power sector emissions have more … Continue reading Wind power, at 17%, overtook coal and natural gas in Europe
Continue reading
European Electricity Review 2025: Wind power and photovoltaic solar avoided €59 billion in fossil fuel imports
The EU’s electricity transition continued at pace in 2024, as photovoltaic solar overtook coal for the first time and gas declined for the fifth year in a row. Download PDF The European Electricity Review analyses full-year electricity generation and demand data for 2024 in all EU-27 countries to understand the region’s progress in transitioning from … Continue reading European Electricity Review 2025: Wind power and photovoltaic solar avoided €59 billion in fossil fuel imports
Continue reading
EU adds 66 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) in 2024
Solar PV additions in the European Union are forecast to reach 65.5GW in 2024, according to trade association SolarPower Europe’s (SPE) latest report. After years of rapid growth with double-digit increases from previous years, Europe is facing a 92% slowdown in solar growth compared with the growth between 2021 and 2023. Last year was marked … Continue reading EU adds 66 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) in 2024
Continue readingEU’s energy security architecture – the way forward
Energy security has risen to the top of the EU’s political agenda, yet much remains to be done. The EU cannot continue relying on imported fossil fuels, putting its energy security in the hands of hostile nations. This becomes critical considering the US president-elect’s calls for reduced US military engagement in Europe. Solutions like wind, … Continue reading EU’s energy security architecture – the way forward
Continue reading
EU’s energy security architecture – the way forward
Energy security has risen to the top of the EU’s political agenda, yet much remains to be done. The EU cannot continue relying on imported fossil fuels, putting its energy security in the hands of hostile nations. This becomes critical considering the US president-elect’s calls for reduced US military engagement in Europe. Solutions like wind, … Continue reading EU’s energy security architecture – the way forward
Continue reading
Europe can build a competitive renewable hydrogen value chain to decarbonise hard to electrify sectors
This week CEOs, policymakers and stakeholders gathered in Brussels to take part in the Renewable Hydrogen Summit. This is Europe’s top event on renewable hydrogen. Earlier this week various stakeholders, CEOs and policymakers met for the fourth Renewable Hydrogen Summit. Opening the event with a video statement, President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We need … Continue reading Europe can build a competitive renewable hydrogen value chain to decarbonise hard to electrify sectors
Continue reading
EU Innovation Fund awards big grants to 6 innovative wind turbine factories
Last week the European Commission announced the results of the latest call of the EU Innovation Fund. For the first time the focus of the call was firmly on clean power manufacturing. 6 wind energy projects are among the winners. “The results of the latest Innovation Fund call are excellent. The European Commission has finally … Continue reading EU Innovation Fund awards big grants to 6 innovative wind turbine factories
Continue reading
Statkraft receives support from EU Innovation fund for planned hydrogen production in Germany
The company was selected to negotiate a grant decision for a subsidy of up to 107 million euros for its project consisting of a 200 MW electrolysis plant and a 50 MW heat pump system. This means that up to 20,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen and up to 50,000 MWh of green heat are possible … Continue reading Statkraft receives support from EU Innovation fund for planned hydrogen production in Germany
Continue reading
Draghi says PPAs are good for EU competitiveness: all EU rules must reflect that
Europe must leverage the significant potential for private financing stemming from PPAs. The recent “Draghi Report” on the EU’s competitiveness and economic security singled out PPAs as a key tool for strengthening the EU’s industrial resilience. PPAs have significant benefits: they enable European companies to procure clean energy at competitive and predictable prices. They increase … Continue reading Draghi says PPAs are good for EU competitiveness: all EU rules must reflect that
Continue reading
China dominates EU solar photovoltaic (PV) market: 98% of solar panels come from China
The EU imported €19.7 billion worth of solar photovoltaic panels from China in 2023. In 2023, the EU imported €19.7 billion worth of solar panels, €3.9 billion of liquid biofuels, and €0.3 billion worth of wind turbines from extra-EU countries, according to the Eurostat data.The European Union’s green transition is hampered by its dependence on … Continue reading China dominates EU solar photovoltaic (PV) market: 98% of solar panels come from China
Continue readingEurope’s wind supply chain continues ramp up to meet EU targets
On 15 October MEPs Barry Andrews, Annalisa Corrado and Bart Groothuis and EU Commission officials from DGs GROW and MARE joined WindEurope to visit Sif’s new monopile factory and Eneco’s new coastal wind farm in Rotterdam. The Port of Rotterdam also showed us how it’s driving every aspect of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal. The … Continue reading Europe’s wind supply chain continues ramp up to meet EU targets
Continue reading
EU and UK to strengthen energy cooperation
In the first visit to Brussels by a British Prime Minister since Brexit Keir Starmer has agreed with EU Commission President von der Leyen that the two sides should strengthen cooperation in a number of areas including energy and climate. WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson said: “The agreement is good news for electricity consumers and Europe’s … Continue reading EU and UK to strengthen energy cooperation
Continue reading
EU battery storage set for its moment in the sun with photovoltaics (PV)
By combining renewables with flexible, clean growth, the EU can benefit from abundant locally produced wind power and photovoltaic solar power, reduce dependence on imported fossil energy and avoid costs. This report analyses the system benefits of coupling renewables with clean flexibility, with a focus on the opportunity for pairing solar electricity generation and battery … Continue reading EU battery storage set for its moment in the sun with photovoltaics (PV)
Continue reading
New EU Commission: what it means for wind
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented her new College of Commissioners to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. Over the next five years, the Commissioners-designate are tasked with doubling down on the EU green and digital transition and fostering the path for a new Clean Industrial Deal that can strengthen European industrial competitiveness and … Continue reading New EU Commission: what it means for wind
Continue reading
Wind power and solar photovoltaic (PV) overtake fossil fuels in EU electricity production for the first time
Data reveals that in the first six months of 2024, renewables overtook fossil fuels in EU electricity production. The European Commission announced that for the first time, wind and solar PV sources have overtaken fossil fuels in electricity generation in the European Union. According to published data, in the first half of 2024, more than … Continue reading Wind power and solar photovoltaic (PV) overtake fossil fuels in EU electricity production for the first time
Continue reading