The European Union has 80,000 MW of wind energy capacity stuck in the authorization process.

The European Commission launches "Clean Tech Europe", a new platform to strengthen the value chain for wind and solar energy, heat pumps, storage, grids and renewable hydrogen.

The platform aims to boost strategic autonomy by accelerating permitting: 80,000 MW of wind power projects are currently stuck in permitting procedures across Europe, a significant portion of them in Spain, which would serve to reduce dependence on Russian gas and lower electricity prices.

This new instrument will also ensure that the value of supply chains is rewarded. Auctions should move away from price alone to include non-price criteria such as system integration, sustainability and benefits to local communities. They should avoid negative bidding and be indexed to reflect increases in input costs after the auction.

EU trade policy must secure international supply chains for key raw materials and components, while striving to boost local and diversified sourcing and refining. This is key to the global competitiveness of the European wind industry and the EU economy in general.

Demand for new wind turbines is growing. The EU, national governments and the EIB have a role to play in supporting investment in new and upgraded wind energy production facilities. They must also facilitate investments in grids and other supporting infrastructure, such as ports.

According to Wind Europe, the wind industry association, Europe must take a tough approach to non-European competitors who receive unfair subsidies. There must be a level playing field for the supply of the equipment and technology that enable the energy transition. The European wind industry is ready to supply the ambitious volumes of energy needed to meet the EU's 2030 energy and climate targets and is committed to supporting this timely initiative.