The wind energy industry is poised to significantly expand to help the EU deliver the Green Deal, according to WindEurope.
Wind power already delivers 14% of Europe’s electricity and the European Commission expects this share to grow to 50% by 2050.
“Wind energy will therefore be at the core of a climate-neutral energy system,” WindEurope said.
The European Commission unveiled the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan yesterday aimed at mobilising €1 trillion in investments over the next 10 years to support the Green Deal’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
WindEurope said the new funding will be key to unlocking finance in hybrid offshore projects and emerging technologies that will help deliver climate neutrality.
The Sustainable Europe Investment Plan also includes a €100bn Just Transition Mechanism to help fossil-fuel intensive regions transition towards sustainable technologies.
WindEurope said the industry is already contributing to a just transition.
For example, in Romania, it is opening a training centre to re-skill coal miners into wind workers, helping local communities benefit from the new prospects wind energy offers. And in Poland, a similar project is being prepared in Silesia.
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “The Sustainable Europe Investment Plan is bigger and better than previous European investment initiatives.
“And this is excellent news for Europe, the climate and for wind energy.
“The Commission has set out a plan that can deliver on the energy transition challenge with the masterful blending of financial sources it offers.
“Wind is already delivering on headline projects for the European Green Deal. And wind’s share in Europe’s power mix will grow
“So our sector will be contributing even more intensely for example with re-skilling coal workers into wind jobs.
“We also look forward to an easy-to-use Just Transition Mechanism that unlocks investments into projects quickly where they’re most needed. This will be key to ensure a fair and jobs-rich transition for all Europeans.”