The European Commission is launching a platform to strengthen its value chains for clean energy.
The new Clean Tech Europe platform aims to advance the key industries that will deliver Europe’s clean and digital transitions.
These include wind and solar energy, heat pumps, storage, grids and renewable hydrogen.
The European wind industry employs 300,000 people and operates 250 factories making turbines and components.
To advance Europe’s technology leadership and to ensure wind turbines installed in Europe continue to use European technology “massive investments” in the whole supply chain are needed, said WindEurope, from vessels to cranes, ports, research and innovation, grids, and skilled workers.
WindEurope stated that Clean Tech Europe must accelerate permitting and reward the value of Europe’s clean energy supply chains.
This means auctions should move away from price-only and include non-price criteria, such as system-integration, sustainability, and benefits to local communities.
They should avoid negative bidding. And they should be index-linked to reflect increases in input costs post-auction.
The trade group also urged the EU to align trade policy with the EU’s energy agenda.
EU trade policy should secure international supply chains for key raw materials and components, at the same as the EU strives to boost local and diversified sourcing and refining.
“This is key to the global competitiveness of the European wind industry and the wider EU economy,” the group stated.
Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, said: “We are ready to take on the challenge of building the wind turbines we need to achieve our targets for clean energy and energy security. But the capacity increase will require significant investments along all stages of the lifecycle, which includes the availability of raw materials.
“Furthermore, we need greater investments in the corresponding infrastructures, such as grids and ports. More than ever, Europe needs to have sound and aligned energy, industry and trade policies.”
José Luis Blanco, CEO of Nordex/Acciona Windpower, added: “The Platform needs to address the importance of the wind turbine manufacturing industry, being a sector of strategic relevance.
“Energy is a matter of European security, so are European supply chains. Without European supply chains, European energy supply will be dependent on non-European supply.
“Keeping and strengthening European supply chains needs policy and regulatory support.”
Henrik Andersen, Group President and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems, said: “This new Platform for clean energy industries is a good initiative.
“The EU and national Governments need a proactive industrial policy for wind, including improved permitting and support for the scale-up of the supply chain. We hope this new initiative can help deliver on that.”