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enero 13, 2025

20% of Europe’s electricity comes from wind energy, but a lack of permits and grid access hampers growth

In 2024, wind energy accounted for 20% of Europe’s electricity generation, yet progress towards 2030 targets remains stalled. With only 13 GW installed last year—far below the required 30 GW annually—the sector faces challenges related to permits, grid connections, and electrification.
By Lucia Colaluce

By Lucia Colaluce

enero 13, 2025
Europe

In 2024, wind energy generated 20% of all electricity consumed in Europe, marking a significant milestone in the energy transition. However, the construction of new wind farms lags behind the pace required to meet 2030 targets, with the EU aiming for 34% of its electricity to come from wind by that year. According to WindEurope, the EU installed just 13 GW last year, less than half of the 30 GW annually needed to meet climate goals.

“Europe is not building enough new wind farms for three main reasons: delays in implementing EU permitting rules, bottlenecks in grid connections, and the slow pace of electrification,” explains Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope. Dickson emphasises that addressing these challenges would not only secure the sector’s growth but also reduce energy costs, boosting Europe’s industrial competitiveness.

Key countries in installed wind capacity

In 2024, Germany solidified its leadership in installed wind capacity, adding 3.1 GW, spread across onshore and offshore projects. The country exemplifies best practices in permitting, having approved nearly 15 GW of new onshore wind projects, a national record. “Germany’s success shows the importance of implementing EU permitting rules. Other countries should follow this example,” notes Dickson.

Spain, another major player, added 813 MW of new wind capacity, according to Red Eléctrica data. While notable, this figure falls short of Spain’s vast wind energy potential.

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In the Netherlands, total wind capacity reached 12 GW, comprising 5 GW of offshore wind and 7 GW of onshore projects. This balance underscores the country’s leadership in offshore wind, although further investments are needed to sustain growth.

Poland, with 10.5 GW of onshore wind capacity, has yet to develop any offshore wind projects, reflecting untapped potential in a country increasingly interested in renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Greece achieved a total wind capacity of 5.5 GW, but its growth has slowed, with only 100 MW added by mid-2024.

Structural barriers: permits, grids, and electrification

The permitting process remains the main bottleneck for wind energy expansion in Europe. Despite the adoption of binding EU permitting regulations, many countries have yet to fully integrate these into their national frameworks. In contrast, Germany has demonstrated that applying these rules can significantly accelerate project development.

Access to electricity grids is another critical issue. Over 500 GW of wind capacity is currently awaiting grid connection. For instance, the Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm in Germany, with 900 MW installed, will not be connected to the grid until 2026, highlighting the scale of the problem.

Additionally, Europe is not progressing quickly enough in the electrification of key sectors such as mobility, heating, and industry. Currently, only 23% of energy consumed in the EU is electricity, a figure that needs to rise to 61% by 2050. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has tasked Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen with developing an electrification action plan, which cannot come soon enough.

Investment and future outlook

While investments in onshore wind energy reached €24 billion in 2024, funding for offshore projects dropped significantly compared to previous years. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) highlight strong corporate interest in wind energy, with 4 GW contracted in 2024, accounting for 50% of renewable PPAs in Europe.

Reaching 2030 targets will require coordinated efforts between governments and private stakeholders to overcome the current challenges. “Wind energy is not only a climate solution but also critical for ensuring Europe’s energy security and competitiveness,” concludes Dickson.

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