The wind industry has welcomed the European Commission’s REPowerEU Action Plan, which included a pledge to increase renewables to 45% of the energy mix by 2030.
The Commission said faster renewables-based decarbonisation is key for both climate neutrality and energy security.
The REPowerEU Action Plan acknowledges the need for wind energy permitting to be “drastically accelerated”.
To that end the Commission has tabled a new legislative proposal on renewables permitting which will be folded into the ongoing review of the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “The REPowerEU Action Plan hits the nail on the head.
“The EU wants to build out wind energy from 190GW today to 480GW in just 8 years.
“But you can only do that if you simplify the permitting. And that’s what REPowerEU aims to achieve.
“It also acknowledges the EU has to support the wind industry supply chain – too right: Europe’s 5 wind turbine manufacturers are all operating at a loss today. Bring on this support: new renewables must be made in Europe.”
Iberdrola chairman and chief executive Ignacio Galán added: “The EU already took the lead with the ambitious decarbonization plans set in the European Climate Law and the ‘Fit for 55’ package.
“REPowerEU is a set of progressive proposals that will help Europe to accelerate this path by boosting investments in renewables, networks, storage and green hydrogen.
“This will also increase self-sufficiency, improve our competitiveness and create industrial development and jobs all over Europe.
“Increasing the 2030 EU share of renewable energy from 40% to 45% is a bold but achievable step, and the promise to speed-up permitting procedures for renewables and grids is both welcome and necessary.
“The private sector is already doing its part, and we stand ready to make this plan a reality, as quickly as member states can translate the proposals into clear policies backed by stable regulation across the EU.”