Wind energy
Wind energy is generated from the power of the wind.
As one of the renewable energy sources, it plays an important role in achieving climate goals across Europe. Wind energy is a key contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making the transition to a low-carbon economy a success.
Wind energy is generated through the use of wind turbines, which convert the kinetic energy content of the wind into mechanical energy. The wind-induced rotation of the rotors of a wind turbine activates generators. These transform the mechanical energy into electrical energy, which can then be fed into the power grid.
Wind turbines are installed on land (onshore wind energy) and at sea (offshore wind energy). Depending on geographical conditions and other factors, they are prioritized differently in different European countries. Sufficient and constant wind resources and relatively large areas are required for the deployment of onshore wind turbines. They are usually built in rural areas, along coasts or even in mountainous regions that offer good wind conditions. Offshore wind turbines are located in the sea, where they have access to strong and steady winds.
Wind Energy in Europe - Current Developments
Offshore wind farms are particularly important for the generation of clean wind energy. Europe is the world leader in offshore wind energy; the economic sector is growing rapidly. In total, 236 GW of wind energy had been installed in Europe by the end of 2021. The European Commission is planning a massive expansion by 2050: 1,000 GW onshore and over 300 GW offshore. This is accompanied by the permanent development of technological innovations to make offshore wind energy more efficient. EU member states have set specific national targets for the use of onshore and offshore wind energy. Exemplary are mentioned here:
- Germany has a target of 115 gigawatts (GW) of installed onshore wind energy capacity by the end of 2030.
- The United Kingdom, a pioneer in wind energy, plans to have 50 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030.
- The Netherlands aims to meet 70% of national electricity demand from wind or solar power by 2030, more than half of which will come from offshore wind.
- Scandinavia: Sweden has set a target of sourcing around 65 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Finland's target for the share of green electricity by 2030 is 51 percent and Denmark's target is 55 percent. Onshore wind will account for the majority of installed capacity in the Nordic countries at 61.5 GW.
