EU member states’ draft National Energy & Climate Plans are insufficient to deliver the bloc’s 32% renewables target, according to analysis released today by WindEurope at its annual event in Bilbao.
The analysis shows that some EU countries are pledging to deploy good volumes of wind, but the plans are lacking in the detailed policy measures that will deliver the pledges.
WindEurope’s analysis rates every country either insufficient or poor for the policy measures outlined in the draft plans.
“Most of the draft plans give no long-term visibility on renewable energy auctions, doing little to support investment certainty,” said WindEurope.
Only Germany provides an auction schedule to 2030, it said.
No country commits to simplifying rules on planning and permitting, such as common sense restrictions on distance or wind turbine tip height, the organisation added.
“This is key, as getting a permit for new wind farms is becoming more difficult and more expensive in many parts of Europe,” WindEurope said.
The plans also fail to address decommissioning of up to 60GW of wind power, with only six countries even recognising the issue – Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “Europe has a clear target: 32% renewable energy by 2030. Each country has now drafted a National Plan saying how they’ll contribute to this.
“But none of the plans properly spell out the policy measures by which countries will deliver on the objectives they outline.
“National governments need to fill these big gaps. Otherwise the plans won’t be meaningful.
“When are the renewables auctions happening? How much are you auctioning? How are you going to make it easier to get permits for wind farms? What are you doing to electrify heating and transport? And what’s your plan for your renewables that come to the end of their life between now and 2030?
“It’s clear answers to these sorts of questions that encourages the renewables industries to invest – and means we can plan ahead and further reduce costs.
“And we’ll invest in those countries that have the clearest plans. So it pays for governments to get them right. And then the wider economic and societal benefits will follow.
“The wind industry employs 300,000 people in Europe, is a major European exporter and brings income to local communities. The clearer the National Plans the more countries will benefit from this.”