The favourable economics around
wind gives European governments a
perfect opportunity to accelerate the
transition to low carbon energy. The
wider economic benefits are evident.
Already the wind industry provides
330,000 jobs across Europe. That
number could grow significantly. By
2030 wind could provide nearly a
quarter of Europe’s electricity, making
it as central to Europe’s energy mix
as coal and gas are today. Consumer
bills would come down. And Europe
would save on the huge amounts it
pays for energy imports – yes, Europe’s
consumers each pay nearly €1,000 a
year for imported coal, gas and oil.
Unfortunately, most governments in
Europe are failing to grasp this. Policy
and regulation on renewables are much
less clear and ambitious than they were.
Only 7 out of 28 EU countries have goals
and policies in place for renewables
beyond 2020. As things stand there’ll be
not much onshore wind built in the UK or
Poland, the once-strong Spanish market
is also dormant, and Germany annual
installations will be little more than half
of what they are today. There is more
ambitious and policy clarity in China,
India and other emerging economies.
The hard truth is Europe’s leadership in
renewables leadership is slipping away.
Offshore wind is also facing doubt.
Despite current record investments levels,
it’s unclear what many key governments
are planning for offshore wind beyond
2020 by way of volumes and regulation.
We’re a long way from being able to say
“job done” on offshore wind.
At the end of 2016 the EU Commission
will propose a new EU Renewable
Energy Directive. This will set the legal
framework for renewables across Europe
upon 2030. It has to be an ambitious
proposal. Without robust legislation,
investor uncertainty will take hold,
and Europe will fail to realise the full
economic potential of wind energy.
It is essential that Europe ensures its
domestic renewables industry remains
strong – and that requires a vibrant home
market. But as things stand Europe will
not be number one in renewables.
EU companies risk losing their lead
over competitors and this will have a
negative impact on jobs and growth.
In 2015, China overtook the EU for total
installed wind energy capacity. This was
a watershed moment. China and the US
are hot on Europe’s heels. If Europe really
wants to be number one in renewables it
needs to get its act together. And fast.
As an industry we will address all
these issues at the WindEurope Summit
2016 on 27-29 September in Hamburg
alongside the Wind Energy Europe
fair. Hamburg is a major hub of the
European wind industry so a natural
place for us to meet – and with energy
transition now a key issue for the G20
it will be an excellent venue also for
next year’s G20 Summit.
The title of our 2016 Summit in
Hamburg is ‘making transition work’.
Leading players in the wind industry
and global energy policy will share
their insights on the opportunities
and challenges facing the wind
sector. Speakers include German
Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel,
EU Commission Vice-President
Maroš Šefčovič and IEA Executive
Director Fatih Birol.
We hope the WindEurope Summit in
Hamburg this September will generate
a momentum on energy issues that will
feed in to the Hamburg G20 Summit
next July. We look forward to sharing
the results with G20 leaders. ■
57