Europe needs 30 GW of wind power per year to meet its climate goals.

WindEurope, the European Wind Energy Association, is highlighting the need to increase investment in this type of energy to achieve the goals of the Green Deal.

The annual installation of wind power in Europe does not appear to be sufficient, according to WindEurope, the European Wind Energy Association, which estimates that the continent must install 30 GW per year to meet the targets set in the recently approvedGreen DealThis agreement aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

According to 2019 wind power installation figures, Europe reached 15.4 GW of this type of energy, of which 11.8 GW came from onshore installations and 3.6 GW from offshore installations. These new investments in renewable wind energy bring the continent’s total wind power capacity to 205 GW, enough to cover 15% of the energy demand of European citizens.

This industry, which,as reported by WindEuropeThe sector, which generates 300,000 jobs across the EU, has played a particularly prominent role through significant investments in the UK (with 2.4 GW installed between offshore and onshore wind), Spain (reaching 2.3 GW of installed onshore wind), Sweden (reaching 1.6 GW exclusively in offshore wind), and France (exceeding 1.3 GW in offshore wind). Thus, installations in 2019 were 27% higher than those in 2018, although they remain far short of the 30 GW required for the continent to meet the target set in the Green Deal.

Giles Dickson, CEO of the association, points out that “the European Union is not building enough wind farms to meet the target set for 2050, by which this energy should account for 50% of the energy generated in Europe.” Dickson also urges the implementation of the planned investments, arguing that climate neutrality and the Green Deal require “twice the number of installations than were completed in 2019.”

Spain returns to the path of investment, while Germany falls behind.

The association, which highlights Spain’s return to investment, noting that “after several years of low investment, the country has recorded its highest installation rate since 2009,” also emphasizes the role of Sweden, which reached its record for wind energy investment in 2019. However, the negative note is for Germany, which, with 1.1 GW installed, remains at figures similar to those recorded 19 years ago, in 2000.

What is the Green Deal?

The roadmap sets as goals to be achieved the climate neutrality of the European continent by the year 2050 through the ddecarbonization of energy(Energy production and use account for more than 75% of the European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions); building renovations, helping to reduce energy bills and use (40% of citizens’ energy consumption corresponds to buildings); helping European industry become a world leader in the so-called green economy (currently, the use of recycled materials in industry is only 12%, with industry accounting for 20% of total emissions in the EU); and promoting sustainable mobility through cleaner, cheaper, and healthier public and private transport systems (transport accounts for 25% of our harmful emissions into the atmosphere).