Europe's Wind Power Action Plan needs to have local communities on board

Regions and cities call on the European Commission to ensure greater participation of citizens and local authorities in the implementation of the Wind Power Action Plan as they play an essential role in fostering public acceptance for wind power projects at the local level. The opinion adopted on 9 October by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) also urges to support local supply chains and protect European wind power industry against unfair competition.

Local and regional leaders consider that they are best placed to ensure public acceptance for wind power projects by actively involving citizens in their communities at planning stage. The opinion drafted by Andries Gryffroy (BE/EA), Member of Flemish Parliament, asks the European Commission to develop a 'trust platform' to improve communication on the creation of local supply chains, jobs and other societal gains raising from renewable energy industry. This is considered crucial to increase general acceptance and attract skilled people to the sector.

The opinion suggests that providing access to energy generation at advantageous conditions could be a way to compensate both residents and local authorities, helping to address any effects on the landscape or other disturbances associated with wind energy projects. Regions and cities also highlight the role of energy cooperatives and communities in the deployment of small-scale, low-power wind energy projects and in providing financial return for local communities involved.

At the same time, local and regional leader warn against unlevel playing field and urge to support European wind supply chains in order to strengthen the competitiveness of EU businesses while reducing dependence on third countries. The Committee proposes the creation of a ‘made in and by Europe’ label that would establish the obligation of a minimum of local content in wind turbine components. Furthermore, the carbon border adjustment mechanism should be implemented as quickly as possible, and environmental and social aspects should be included in public procurement procedures and auctioning processes.

As grid capacity is already hindering the connection of wind energy, there is a need to strengthen the critical infrastructure for energy storage, transportation and distribution, including cross-border interconnections. The CoR urges the European Commission to facilitate grid build-out with a long-term local grid development plan, which prioritises investments in grid infrastructure and regional cooperation.

Cities and regions also underline their role in permitting process and the need to provide them with the necessary skills and tools to assess any potential conflicts with European directives and regulations, such as the Bird Directive and Habitats Directive. This could help to enhance the efficiency and approval rate of permitting processes, taking into account environmental standards, and to harmonise and minimise litigation procedures. 

Quote:

Rapporteur Andries Gryffroy BE/EA), Member of the Flemish Parliament: “"Wind energy is a key element of the EU energy mix to achieve climate targets and energy independence. However, in order to tackle the barriers and ensure a faster uptake of this technology more needs to be done to improve general public acceptance. On top, local communities need to be adequately involved in the development of wind power projects. The EU needs more long-term plans and investments in energy storage and grid development to transport energy from the point of production to the point of consumption, and take into account the intermittent production of wind energy. Permitting process should be streamlined while taking in account environmental standards and potential conflicts with other European directives and regulations should be resolved by better streamlining between directives.”

 More information:

 To accelerate wind energy manufacturing across Europe, the European Commission presented the EU Wind Power Package in October 2023. It consists of 2 initiatives – the European Wind Power Action Plan and a communication on achieving the EU’s offshore wind ambitions.

 According to Eurostat, wind accounted for over one-third (37.5%) of the total electricity generated from renewable sources in the EU in 2022. The European Commission estimates that the EU target of at least 42.5% renewable energy by 2030, with an aim to reach 45%, will require installed capacity to grow from 204 GW in 2022 to more than 500 GW in 2030.

 According to Wind Europe’s competitiveness report 2023, the wind industry provided around 300,000 jobs in the EU in 2022. So far, European manufacturers have accounted for 85% of the EU wind energy market and for 94% in the offshore sector.

Factsheet on the Wind Power Action Plan

Contact:

Lauri Ouvinen
Tel: +32 473536887
lauri.ouvinen@cor.europa.eu