Wind energy is a key pillar in Europe’s energy transition, but its development pace faces significant challenges. With 225,000 MW currently installed and a target of 425,000 MW by 2030, the European Union (EU) is at a crossroads. The implementation of regulations, the strengthening of electricity grids, and the repowering of existing wind farms are challenges that need urgent attention to meet climate goals. 

Review Energy spoke exclusively with Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope, to discuss the strategies necessary to accelerate the wind industry in the region. 

Review Energy (R.E.): Where will the current pace of wind energy expansion in Europe take us, and what urgent measures need to be taken to close the gap between current forecasts and the installation goals required to meet the EU’s 2030 objectives? 

Giles Dickson (G.D.): Today, we have 225,000 MW of installed wind capacity: 20,000 MW offshore and 205,000 MW onshore. The European Union (EU) wants us to reach 425,000 MW by 2030, a massive target that we will not meet. 

That said, we are accelerating the growth pace. Each year, we build more farms and add more capacity. We now expect to have 350,000 MW by the end of 2030, representing significant growth from the current 225,000 MW. 

(R.E.): With the goal of reaching 425 GW of installed wind capacity by 2030, what key strategies should be adopted to accelerate the installation of the 33 GW annually required by the EU, and what obstacles need to be overcome to avoid a capacity shortfall in the coming years? 

(G.D.): The main obstacle is the lack of compliance by EU member states with the new European rules on permits. Germany, for example, is experiencing an explosion in the volume of new permits for onshore wind farms. It is currently granting six times more permits than five years ago. In 2019, 2,000 MW were approved; this year, that number has reached 12,000 MW. This change is due to the application of the European legal principle of overriding public interest. 

Thanks to these regulations, judges who previously rejected permits due to alleged violations of biodiversity rules now have to balance biodiversity protection with the binding interests of renewable energy. 

This approach has created more trust among decision-makers and set precedents for others. It is crucial that member states follow this example, as they are obligated to implement these laws into their national regulations—it is not optional; it is mandatory. 

(R.E.): Why are many EU countries not applying this regulation? 

(G.D.): In Spain, for example, according to government sources, the situation with regional governments is very complex. However, it is essential that binding legal responsibilities under EU law are taken seriously. 

Another important issue is the electricity grid infrastructure. Operators are not investing enough in grid expansion, which delays the operation of new wind farms. 

Electrification is progressing slowly. While expanding grids and promoting electrification takes time, the application of permit laws can address some obstacles more quickly. 

(R.E.): What lessons should Spain learn in 2025 to adjust its offshore wind auction system to effectively integrate the entire value chain? 

(G.D.): In general, auctions in Europe have been successful, but the Danish model, Negative Bidding, has failed. This model generates additional costs for developers, who must pay the Ministry of Finance to operate a wind farm, thus increasing the project's costs and its financing. 

The most effective model is the Contract for Difference (CfD), used in countries like the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Belgium, and Ireland. This system provides stable revenues, facilitating financing. To avoid mistakes like those made in Denmark, Spain must continue using this model and ensure clarity in transmitting the generated energy. 

Another reason the Danish auction failed is that most of the energy is consumed in Germany, not Denmark, so there was no clear knowledge of who would actually purchase the projects. 

(R.E.): What strategies should Europe implement to meet the demand for more than 500,000 new skilled technicians in the global wind industry by 2028? 

(G.D.): Currently, there are 370,000 technicians in Europe, but by the end of 2030, we will need 500,000, which means recruiting 230,000 people in the next six years. Two-thirds of these new jobs will not require university education, but it is crucial to foster young people's interest in technical sectors. 

In Spain, the Wind Energy Business Association (Asociación Empresarial Eólica) is actively working on this task, but competition with other economic sectors is high. It is vital to influence school curricula to include content related to renewable energy. 

(R.E.): Why has the progress on repowering wind farms in Europe been so slow? 

(G.D.): So far, 300 wind farms have been repowered in Europe, which is positive, but insufficient. On average, repowering triples the capacity of the farms in the same space, with 25% fewer turbines. 

The problem is that repowering is more expensive than building new farms, as it involves dismantling the old ones. Additionally, some countries, like Spain, are not applying the European regulation that simplifies environmental requirements for repowering projects. The new regulation considers an environmental study only for the new capacity added, not for the entire farm, specifically to speed up repowering efforts. 

Germany, on the other hand, is making progress thanks to the implementation of this regulation. Governments need to take action to incentivize these investments rather than imposing them, as is being proposed in Galicia, which goes against free market principles.