European Green Deal: Towards a Secure and Competitive Energy Transition

The European Green Deal represents a fundamental pillar for Europe’s transition towards climate neutrality. This ambitious action plan aims not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to promote a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy.

But how should it be implemented and what is crucial to consider? WindEurope analyzes the European context.

European Green Deal: Energy Policy Must Evolve

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dramatically highlighted the crucial importance of energy security. This conflict has exposed Europe’s vulnerability in terms of energy supply, making the need to diversify energy sources and reduce dependency on combustion evident.

The EU’s energy policy must, therefore, evolve to ensure clean, secure, and accessible energy for both European citizens and businesses. This transition is not just an environmental issue but also an economic and strategic one, as energy is the engine that powers the entire economy.

Replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources and transitioning towards a sustainable and circular economy, as outlined in the EU’s Green Deal, are essential to achieving the EU's strategic objectives.

The energy-intensive industry plays a central role in this transformation process. These sectors, which include the production of steel, aluminum, cement, and chemicals, are essential for the supply chain of many other industries and for the entire European economy.

In this context, according to WindEurope, wind energy assumes crucial importance. It already covers 20% of European electricity consumption and is configured as a strategic resource for the continent’s industry. The expansion of wind energy will be essential to achieve Europe’s climate ambitions. This form of renewable energy not only helps reduce CO2 emissions but also creates new job opportunities and stimulates technological innovation.

European Green Deal: According to WindEurope, Current Policies Do Not Yet Fully Meet Energy Needs

However, WindEurope states, current policies still do not provide the enabling frameworks necessary to meet these needs. In recent years, energy-intensive industries have faced an unprecedented reduction in production due to the energy crisis.

Addressing this challenge must be at the center of a new European industrial pact. Accelerating renewables will help reduce energy bills for consumers. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), without the expansion of photovoltaic and wind capacity between 2021 and 2023, average wholesale electricity prices would have been significantly higher.

Implementing policies that favor the expansion of renewables is, therefore, crucial for economic stability and environmental sustainability. Combining the European Green Deal with an industrial pact will enable industries to make the necessary investments for decarbonization, while also strengthening competitiveness.

This strategy is key to ensuring regulatory stability and prosperity for both businesses and European citizens. Coordinating energy and industrial policies will be essential to create a favorable ecosystem for the green transition, stimulating innovation.