European Wind Energy Association

The OffshoreGrid project proves the financial benefits of building a meshed European grid offshore and outlines two cost efficient designs.

It’s 2011, just nine years away from 2020 when the EU’s main climate change and renewable energy legislation expires. Right now – with the EU’s 2020 goals to increase the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix to 20% and to cut carbon emissions by 20% – the EU is leading the world in terms of renewable energy deployment, exports and promotion.But how will we keep our leadership, retain our competitive edge, and keep cutting emissions from the power sector whilst continuing to create thousands of green jobs and billions of Euros in export revenue? Will decision-makers leave the EU in a policy vacuum post-2020?

This updated edition of Pure Power once again shows the huge contribution wind energy already makes – and will increasingly make – to meeting Europe’s electricity demand and strengthening its economy, and to avoiding polluting and costly fuel and carbon.

2010 was a year of many highs and some lows. One of the highs was the fact that the Member States’ National Renewable Energy Action Plans showed the EU to be en route to slightly exceed the 20% renewable energy target.

In 1986, European leaders agreed to open up their borders to the free movement of goods, capital, people and services. Ever since, the European single market has ensured trade, competition, consumer choice, employment and prosperity in Europe. Yet 25 years later, there is still no single market in electricity. Consumers are supplied with electricity that is generally produced nationally, and as competition is ineffective, electricity suppliers can pass any price increase onto that same consumer.

20 Megawatt wind turbines are feasible, according to a new report from the EU-funded UpWind project. UpWind explored the design limits of upscaling wind turbines to 20 Megawatt (MW) and found that they would have rotor diameters of around 200 metres, compared to some 120 metres on today's 5 MW turbines.

EWEA's EU Energy Policy to 2050 report outlines the successes of Europe's renewable energy policy, and outlines the need for long-term planning, as far as 2050.

A 30% cut by 2020 is a crucial first step to the 80-95% emissions cut by 2050 agreed by the Heads of State. It is essential if Europe is to maintain its leadership in renewable energy technologies like wind energy, create new
jobs and become more competitive, and not lose ground to other countries.
Rather than relaxing its climate ambitions, the EU must put Europe’s economic interests first and move to a 30% emissions reduction target.

‘Powering Europe’ puts forward a well-argued case that there are no major technical barriers – but major economic benefits - to integrating large amounts of fuel- and pollution-free wind energy into Europe’s electricity grid.

Wind energy is a mainstream power source, providing the answers to many of the challenges facing Europe today. Europe needs wind power to meet its 2020 renewable energy target of 20% by 2020, to help it in the fight against climate
change, to provide its consumers with a domestic, secure power source that does not expose them to increases in fuel and carbon prices, and to create green, sustainable jobs – and the job opportunities are growing with the sector.