A global coalition of 108 wind energy companies and associations has challenged governments to take dramatic action to scale up wind and renewable energy in this decade.
If the world is to get on track for the 1.5°C-compliant pathway to net zero, annual global wind energy installations must quadruple by 2030 to around 390GW per year, according to the International Energy Agency, and by 2050, wind energy must generate more than one-third of global electricity, up from 6% today.
The Global Wind Energy Manifesto for COP27 warns that while wind energy is one of the most competitive, mature and quickly deployable energy technologies available today, to thrive it needs large, steady and visible volumes for deployment and a robust global supply chain.
To enable this, governments need to streamline planning and permitting schemes for grid scale renewables projects, along with rapidly build out grid infrastructure and for power markets to evolve to both incentivise investment in renewable generation and allow citizens to benefit from the affordable, secure generation provided.
The new coalition aims to send a message that the wind industry stands ready to work together to achieve the required rapid scale-up of wind installations this decade.
Signatories of the manifesto include the largest companies in the sector such as Iberdrola, Orsted, EDP Renewables, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, as well as the wind industry associations in China, Brazil, South Africa, Europe, the UK, Australia and more.
Together, the groups represent 81% of installed wind energy worldwide.
Group senior vice-president at Vestas Wind Systems Morten Dyrholm said: “In the midst of a global energy shock, and with just seven years left to limit global emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, it’s time we realised that energy security and climate security are not in conflict.
“Renewable projects are waiting in the wings across the world, it’s time to move projects into construction, and to get grid networks built. In a shifting society, resilience is key, and renewables are the way to unlock it.”
Joyce Lee, Chair of the Global Wind Energy Coalition for COP27, said: “Scaling up wind energy is a win-win for people and the planet, delivering lower energy prices, stimulating investment, economic growth and job creation, while helping countries meet their climate targets and supporting secure energy.
“The tools, technology and know-how are on our side. But policymakers must act now to deliver the secure and clean energy system the world sorely needs. That means urgent action to accelerate renewables, from speeding up permitting of projects to governments providing clear and ambitious timelines on buildout.”