Job growth in the European wind industry has “flatlined”, despite the sector contributing €36bn to the EU’s GDP in 2016, according to a new report for WindEurope.
The report – ‘Local Impact, Global Leadership’ – was carried out by Deloitte for WindEurope and found that the sector supports 263,000 jobs and generated €8bn in exports beyond European borders.
However, the lack of ambition from many countries has led to a slowdown in job growth, with half of EU Member States investing nothing in wind last year, it said.
Net exports of wind equipment are falling – €2.4bn in 2017 compared with €3bn in 2011 – on the back of strong competition from emerging economies, the report added.
“The policy ambition and clarity needed to sustain wind’s contribution to the European economy is currently not in place,” WindEurope said.
The report did highlight some of the positive impacts of the sector.
For example, for every €1000 of turnover generated in the wind industry, some €250 of economic activity is created in other sectors, such as metals, chemicals, electrical equipment and machinery, construction and engineering.
It also noted that much of the industry and supply chain is located in economically less-advantaged regions, bringing high-skilled jobs to those areas.
WindEurope chief executive Gile Dickson said: “Wind is a smart choice for the economy. It’s a European industrial success story.
“But it’s at risk. Clear and ambitious targets and policies are essential to sustain the jobs and growth our industry supports.”
He reiterated a call for a 2030 renewables target of at least 35%, and called for clarity on post-2020 volumes so the supply chain knows what to invest and where.
Dickson added that Europe also needs R&D and industrial policies that help the region maintain its technology lead and continue to export.
Image: Pixabay
EU wind job growth ‘flatlines’
WindEurope says half of member states invested zero in sector in 2016
By EBS