Every newly-installed wind turbine in Europe results in €10m in economic activity, according to a new report published by WindEurope.
This is spread across the 248 factories in Europe that produce turbines and components and all roles involved in planning, construction, logistics and research and development.
‘Wind Energy and economic recovery in Europe – How wind energy will put communities at the heart of the European recovery’ estimates wind generates 300,000 jobs in Europe and contributes €37bn to the bloc’s GDP every year.
WindEurope said that if governments fully implement their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), Europe will have over twice as much wind energy capacity by 2030, compared with today plus 450,000 jobs.
This would result in wind accounting for 30% of Europe’s electricity consumption, up from 15% today.
“But as they stand, the NECPs will struggle to deliver this,” WindEurope stated.
The plans give “insufficient visibility” on when and how governments will auction new wind farms and they “fail to simplify” the process of getting permits for wind farms, the trade group claimed.
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “Investing in wind will help Europe reset its economy. Each new turbine generates €10m of economic activity.
“There’s a pipeline of new projects waiting to start. And the expansion of wind energy envisaged in the National Energy and Climate Plans will create 150,000 new jobs.
“Provided governments implement their plans properly. If they don’t implement them properly, and if they don’t simplify the permitting arrangements for new wind farms, then we’ll lose jobs.”