The current crisis highlights the need to improve Europe's energy security. Which means more renewables ASAP. The EU and national governments clearly get this. Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner recently called renewables "freedom energies".
Next week's EU Commission paper on energy prices is a great chance to plot the course that will deliver the rapid expansion of renewables and energy security.
The Commission knows the biggest bottleneck to the expansion of renewables is the complex rules and procedures that exist across Europe for the permitting of new wind and solar. Enforcing the EU deadlines for permit decisions that came into force last year is of paramount importance. As is the upcoming Commission guidance to Member States on how exactly they can simplify their permitting processes.
At the same time, the expansion of renewables requires huge levels of new investment. This in turn requires regulatory stability. Europe's electricity market rules provide such stability. To tamper with them, e.g. by allowing governments to change the rules on how prices are set, would remove that stability and freeze investments. Which in turn would mean fewer renewables. And no energy security.
*Note: This WindEurope statement has been sent to leading politicians in the European Commission earlier today.
ABOUT WINDEUROPE
WindEurope is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting wind energy across Europe. We have over 400 members from across the whole value chain of wind energy; wind turbine manufacturers; component suppliers; power utilities and wind farm developers; financial institutions; research institutes and the national wind energy associations.
For additional questions, please contact:
Christoph Zipf
WindEurope Press & Communications Manager
christoph.zipf@windeurope.org
+32 2 213 18 67
May 1, 2024
