The EU’s of 35% target of electricity consumed in Europe to be generated by wind is now within reach thanks to improvements in permitting and increases in new investments and auction volumes, according to a new report from WindEurope.
The latest WindEurope Annual Report and Outlook found that the new optimism is supported by recent announcements from European wind turbine manufacturers and suppliers starting to return to profitability.
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson (pictured) said: “Permitting is up. Investments are up. Auction volumes are up. The supply chain is building new factories in Europe.
“Governments are actively supporting the wind industry with the EU Wind Power Package and European Wind Charter. There’s a new confidence as the industry gathers for its annual event in Bilbao.” To illustrate the value wind energy bring to Europe’s citizens, WindEurope will be releasing a new Rystad Energy report at the Bilbao event.
It shows wind will have a direct contribution to Europe’s GDP of €49bn in 2030; while tsi energy production by 2030 in Europe will be enough to save Europe 190bcm a year of fossil fuel imports.
It estimates the sector will be saving Europe 262m tonnes of CO2 emissions a year by 2030.