A record of 17 GW of wind power was achieved in Europe in 2023. 14 GW onshore and 3 GW offshore. Wind made up 19% of total electricity production. The record was slightly higher than last year but does not yet meet the EU target. To achieve this, the EU would have to realize an average of 30 GW of wind energy per year from 2024 to 2030.
Wind power in 2023
Germany was number 1, followed by the Netherlands and Sweden. The Netherlands was the leader in added offshore wind capacity, partly due to the contribution of Hollandse Kust Zuid. This world's largest offshore wind farm is capable of supplying 2 million households in the Netherlands with power annually with a capacity of 1.5 GW.
The percentage of time that a wind turbine can theoretically run at full power of new wind turbines is growing steadily. For onshore wind farms that percentage was between 30 and 48% and for offshore wind farms around 50%. Source: windeurope.org .
Series of actions
The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects that an average of 23 GW of wind energy capacity will be installed in the EU per year from 2024 to 2028. Partly based on the EU Wind Power Package that the 26 EU ministers signed at the end of 2023 in the context of the European Wind Charter.
The wind energy package outlines a series of actions that can be taken quickly to strengthen Europe's wind energy industry. Some actions are for the EU, some for the Member States and some for the industry. Together, these actions will be a game changer for the European wind industry and for Europe's ability to meet its climate and energy targets.
The main points are:
- Simplification of licensing procedures.
- Improved design of tenders for wind farms.
- Public financial support for wind turbine production.
- The development of critical infrastructure sections.
