The EU should raise its ambition to at least 30% of renewables in final energy consumption by 2030 in order to help boost the sector across the region, according to a new report from WindEurope.
The report – ‘Making Transition Work’ released today – outlines several policy proposals on how Europe can remain a leading force in wind energy and renewables.
It calls for continued innovation to reduce costs and support for the integration of renewables in the energy system.
Europe’s electricity market also need further reform to make it fit for more renewables and provide the necessary conditions for investment, the report said.
For example, there is room for improvement when it comes to cutting red tape to obtain licences to build, connect and operate wind farms, it said.
EU power systems also need more market-based instruments, increased competition and an energy market that provides a level playing field for all participants.
There should also be a bigger push for the electrification of heating, cooling and transport with power playing a leading role in reaching the EU’s climate and energy targets, WindEurope said.
WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “With all the talk about the transition to low-carbon, things should be looking good for the wind industry in Europe. But they’ re not.
“Government policy on energy across Europe is less clear and ambitious than it was. Only seven out of 28 EU member states have targets and policies in place for renewables beyond 2020. We have dysfunctional electricity markets.
“Europe is far from being number one on renewables. China beats us on total volume and new installations, India on policy ambition, and the US in many areas of technology, especially on grid integration.
“We still have a competitive industry that’s winning orders overseas. But we will lose that competitiveness if we don’t have a strong domestic market.”
Nordex CEO Lars Bondo Krogsgaard said: “The report shows that technological leadership is the basis of the competiveness of the European wind industry.
“To remain competitive and innovative we need stable frameworks, and Europe can do a lot to assist on this front.”
Enel Green Power CEO Francesco Venturini said: “The EU is committing to new renewable targets by 2030 but the key issue is still to understand how to deliver.
“Europe is no longer number one in renewables, but the upcoming period will be pivotal if Europe is to grasp the chance to regain the lost ground, increasing renewables’ share in the energy mix and moving towards a higher proportion of energy consumption from electricity due to its higher levels of sustainability and efficiency compared to other energy carriers.”
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