Photo: WindEurope
Wind energy will power 20% of all electricity used in Europe (19% in the EU) by 2024, and the EU has set itself the goal of increasing this share to 34% by 2030 and over 50% by 2050.
To stay on track, the EU needs to install 30 GW of new wind farms every year, but only controls 13 GW by 2024 – 11.4 GW onshore and 1.4 GW offshore. This is what is holding the EU back from reaching its wind growth targets.
Three major problems holding back European air power
Wind energy growth in Europe has stalled for three main reasons:
To allow for delay. Many governments have not implemented the new EU permit rules, making it difficult for projects to move forward.
Grid connection problems. More than 500 GW(!) of wind power capacity is stuck in grid connection lines.
Low power installation. Europe's economy is not electrifying fast enough to drive demand for more renewable energy.
The head of Brussels-based trade association WindEurope, Giles Dickson, sums it up: “The EU must urgently deal with all three problems. More wind means cheaper energy, which means more competition.”
Permits: Germany sets the standard
Permits remain major roadblocks, despite new EU rules aimed at streamlining the process. In fact, the situation worsened in 2024 in many countries. A bright spot? In Germany. By adopting EU permit rules – with measures such as binding deadlines and treating wind power as a public priority – Germany approved a record 15 GW of new offshore wind by 2024. That's seven times more than five years ago.
If other governments follow Germany's lead, Europe can unlock the full potential of wind power and strengthen energy security.
Grid connection: a growing problem
Access to the electricity grid is now a major barrier to the use of wind energy. And it's not just about long queues – Europe's grid infrastructure isn't growing fast enough to keep up with demand. A good example is Germany's 900-megawatt (MW) Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm. The turbines are ready to go, but the grid connection won't be in place until 2026.
This problem is not isolated. Governments need to accelerate grid expansion if they are serious about meeting renewable energy targets.
Electrical installation: lagging behind
The growth of wind power is also linked to how quickly Europe electrifies its economy. Currently, electricity accounts for only 23% of the EU's total consumption. That needs to jump to 61% by 2050 to meet climate goals. However, electrification efforts in key sectors such as transportation, heating, and industry are moving very slowly.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has tasked Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen with developing an Electrification Action Plan. That can't come soon enough.
Many wind farms have been awarded, but challenges remain
The good news is, governments across Europe have committed to a record 37 GW of new wind capacity (29 GW in the EU) by 2024. But without faster permits, better grid connections, and increased electrification, these awards will not translate into clean energy. -to produce the wind farms Europe needs so much.
Investments and business interest
Investments in wind energy reached 31 billion euros by 2024, financing 19 GW of new energy. While investments in offshore wind remain strong at 24 billion euros, funding for offshore wind has fallen significantly. Final investment decisions for offshore projects remain challenging due to slow approvals and grid delays.
Corporate buyers continue to show strong interest in wind energy. Half of all electricity acquired under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by 2024 was wind. Committed wind PPAs were 4 GW out of a total of 12 GW of renewable PPAs.
Read more: Renewables could meet nearly half of global electricity demand by 2030 – IEA
If you live in an area with frequent natural events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a reliable, trustworthy solar installer near you who offers you competitive prices, check EnergySagea free service that makes it easy for you to travel in the sun. They have hundreds of pre-tested solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Also, it's free to use and you won't get any auction calls until you choose an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you'll get access to impartial Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. -reliable reliable link*
FTC: We use auto affiliate links to earn income. More.