EU determined to secure its clean energy industrial base

The European Commission is launching “Clean Tech Europe”, a new platform to strengthen its value chains for clean energy. The new Platform aims to advance the key industries that will deliver Europe’s clean and digital transitions. These include wind and solar energy, heat pumps, storage, grids and renewable hydrogen.

The European Union is more determined than ever to transition from expensive imported fossil fuels to competitive, clean and home-grown renewables. REPowerEU, the EU’s new energy strategy and answer to the war in Ukraine and the price surge in natural gas imports to Europe has increased the targets for renewables build out and renewable hydrogen production.

The EU now wants 510 GW of wind energy by 2030, more than double the 200 GW installed in the EU today. To replace expensive and scarce natural gas as well as other fossil fuels in industry, mobility and heating the EU wants to rapidly scale up renewables-based electrification. And the EU now aims for 20 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030.

The European wind industry currently employs 300.000 people and operates 250 factories making turbines and components. To advance Europe’s technology leadership and to ensure wind turbines installed in Europe continue to use European technology massive investments in the whole supply chain are needed – from vessels to cranes, ports, research and innovation, grids, and skilled workers. But also in new and existing industrial production capacities.

2030 is around the corner. These investments need to happen today. But the European wind industry is struggling with inflation and increasing cost pressures. Although targets are high, the slow and insufficient permitting is holding back installations and creating market uncertainty. As a result, Europe is installing less than half the amount of new wind energy it needs. The EU’s 2030 renewables targets are in danger.

The new Platform aims to strengthen the EU’s industrial footprint and advance the global competitiveness of its clean tech industries.

Clean Tech Europe must now:

1. Accelerate permitting: 80 GW of wind energy projects are currently stuck in permitting procedures across Europe. They must be unlocked. The REPowerEU and emergency measures to accelerate renewables permitting must be implemented without delay and applied to all permits.
2. Reward the value of Europe’s clean energy supply chains: Auctions should move away from price-only and include non-price criteria, such as system-integration, sustainability, and benefits to local communities. They should avoid negative bidding. And they should be index-linked to reflect increases in input costs post-auction.
3. Align trade policy with the EU’s energy agenda: EU trade policy should secure international supply chains for key raw materials and components, at the same as the EU strives to boost local and diversified sourcing and refining. This is key to the global competitiveness of the European wind industry and the wider EU economy.
4. Invest in factories and infrastructure: The demand for new wind turbines is growing. The EU, national Governments and the EIB all have a role to play in supporting investments in new and upgraded wind energy production facilities. They should also facilitate investments in grids and other supporting infrastructure, such as ports.
5. Create a level playing field: Europe should take a robust approach to unfairly subsidised non-European competitors. There should be a level playing field for the provision of the equipment and technology that delivers the energy transition.

The European wind industry stands ready to deliver the ambitious volumes of wind energy needed to meet the EU’s 2030 energy and climate goals. We welcome the launch of Clean Tech Europe and pledge to support this timely initiative.

Dr. Jürgen Zeschky, CEO of Enercon, says: “There is now a unique opportunity to create a new European industrial policy that keeps critical technologies in Europe. Wind energy is an essential part of achieving carbon neutrality, ensuring affordable energy prices and safeguarding European energy independence.”

José Luis Blanco, CEO of Nordex/Acciona Windpower, says: “The Platform needs to address the importance of the wind turbine manufacturing industry, being a sector of strategic relevance. Energy is a matter of European security, so are European supply chains. Without European supply chains, European energy supply will be dependent on non-European supply. Keeping and strengthening European supply chains needs policy and regulatory support.”

Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, says: “We are ready to take on the challenge of building the wind turbines we need to achieve our targets for clean energy and energy security. But the capacity increase will require significant investments along all stages of the lifecycle, which includes the availability of raw materials. Furthermore, we need greater investments in the corresponding infrastructures, such as grids and ports. More than ever, Europe needs to have sound and aligned energy, industry and trade policies.”

Henrik Andersen, Group President and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems, says: “This new Platform for clean energy industries is a good initiative. The EU and national Governments need a proactive industrial policy for wind, including improved permitting and support for the scale-up of the supply chain. We hope this new initiative can help deliver on that.”