EU unveils action plan to bolster wind industry performance

The European Commission has announced the Wind Power Action Plan aimed at maintaining a healthy and competitive wind energy supply chain and secure project pipeline.

Europe has ambitious targets to reach 45% renewables by 2030 however the bloc is facing a number of headwinds limiting the progress of the wind industry.

These challenges include uncertain demand, slow permitting, high inflation and commodity prices, pressure from international competitors as well as limited skilled workforce.

Kadri Simson, EU Commissioner for Energy, emphasised that the actions set out in the plan would strengthen Europe's wind sector and keep the bloc competitive: "The EU is determined to lead the energy transition, and to seize the opportunity to create economic growth and green jobs. The wind sector is key for the achievement of our clean energy and climate goals, but we need to make sure it can do business in a fair and supportive environment."

Six recommendations

The Action Plan sets out six recommended actions:

Acceleration of deployment through increased predictability and faster permitting.

The Commission is launching the Accele-RES initiative to expedite the implementation of the revised EU renewable energy rules. Also, Member States are encouraged to enhance the visibility of the project pipeline through wind pledges, transparent auction schedules, and long-term planning. Finally, the Commission will support the necessary build-out of electricity grids with a Grids Action Plan later this year.

Improved auction design

The Commission will support Member States in improving auctions with well-designed and objective criteria which reward higher value-added equipment and ensure that projects are realised fully and on time. Beyond the EU, Global Gateway projects will increase their use of strategic procurement standards. The Action Plan also foresees a cybersecurity risk assessment.

Access to finance

To speed up investment and financing for wind energy manufacturing in Europe, the Commission will facilitate access to EU financing. The Commission also encourages Member States to use the amended Temporary State aid Crisis and Transition Framework to support wind manufacturing in the EU.

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A fair and competitive international environment

The Commission will closely monitor possible unfair trade practices which benefit foreign wind manufacturers and will continue to use trade agreements to facilitate access to foreign markets, while promoting the adoption of EU and international standards for the sector. The Commission will also engage with investors to identify and address obstacles to investment.

Large-Scale Skills Partnerships for Renewable Energy will be a key forum to develop skills development projects

The Commission will facilitate the launch of European net-zero industry skills academies, including one dedicated to the wind sector, designed to support Member States actions to upskill and reskill workers.

Industry engagement and Member States commitments

The Commission will work with Member States and the wind industry on an EU Wind Charter to improve the enabling conditions for the European wind industry to remain competitive.

Industry reaction

The industry has reacted favourably to the Wind Power Action Plan, suggesting the measures will support supply chain development and ultimately speed up wind deployment.

Maroš Šefčovič, executive vice-president for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight commented on the Plan: "This package will help the European wind sector to grow at home and compete globally, thus reducing dependencies on external suppliers and creating green jobs for workers."

Kerstin Andreae, chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board, said in a statement: “The action plan addresses important points for an accelerated expansion of wind power. Among other things, the Commission has announced that it will examine an extension of the EU emergency regulation on the expansion of renewable energies until November.

"From our point of view, an extension is expressly welcome, because in some points the regulation significantly simplifies the approval procedures for renewable energy systems. The Commission should now quickly provide clarity here in order to avoid planning uncertainties."

WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson said, “The Wind Power Package is a game-changer for Europe’s wind energy industry. The new actions on finance, auctions and permitting will speed up the development of wind farms. And crucially they’ll help Europe’s wind energy supply chain deliver the equipment for that. This is good for jobs and growth – and for Europe’s energy security. As Ursula von der Leyen said in her recent State of the Union speech, the future of Europe’s clean tech must be made in Europe.”

In terms of the next steps, Wind Europe suggests that all need to play their part and action must be taken as soon as possible. The Commission proposes to enshrine support for the Package in a dedicated Wind Energy Charter to be signed by the end of the year.