European nations have emerged from the dual shock of the Coronavirus pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a “strengthened partnership” between the wind sector and governments, according to WindEurope.
The representative body’s chairman Jose Luis Blanco (pictured) said that “out of the crisis has come a sense of urgency” to reinforce domestic supply chains and reduce dependency on imported gas.
Blanco told delegates at WindEurope in Bilbao that the European Union had responded through last year’s European Wind Charter and EU Wind Power Package to speed up permitting, improve access to long-term finance, increase the social and economic benefits of deployment and provide a “level playing field” between regional and international manufacturers.
The European Wind Charter has been rubber stamped by all 26 EU member states with Spain the latest to translate it into a national agreement via today’s signing of the Spanish Wind Charter by the country’s Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera.
Blanco said: “A resilient Europe has focused on energy security, climate change and economic growth.
“The crisis has resulted in a strengthened partnership between the wind industry and governments.
“Wind creates added value for Europe and adds to Europe’s values.”