October 2026

WindEurope Bulletin

October 2026

13 October 2026

A message from the CEO

Dear WindEurope member,

Thank you to everyone who joined us at WindEnergy Hamburg. It was great to be there and see such strong momentum across the industry. We were also delighted to launch the WindEurope Careers Hub, showcasing job opportunities in wind and connecting you with the talent we need to deliver the energy transition. More on this below.

Last month we also welcomed our new Chair, Rasmus Errboe, and Vice-Chair, Salvatore Bernabei – congratulations to them both on their appointment. They take office with a clear ambition: delivering secure and affordable wind energy that strengthens Europe’s competitiveness, supports jobs and drives innovation. Their vision aligns closely with President von der Leyen’s recent call in her State of the European Union address to “double down on affordable, homegrown, clean energy”.

As we head into winter, energy affordability will also be high on the political agenda. The past year’s disruptions have shown us just how vulnerable we still are to external energy shocks. Our message to policymakers is clear: European livelihoods and our long-term competitiveness depend on abundant, affordable green electricity.

That means delivering faster permitting, stronger and smarter grids, accelerated electrification, and a stable investment environment. Governments must also avoid measures that deepen dependence on fossil fuels or weaken investment signals for renewables. Instead, they should seize the opportunity, with legislation on the table to shift the tax burden from electricity to gas and make clean power the most attractive choice.

And as we look ahead, we also need visibility on wind deployment volumes. That means clear 2040 energy and climate targets. But also solving the challenges in front of us today, including the major offshore volumes at risk of not reaching Final Investment Decision, particularly in Germany. For Europe’s wind supply chain, this is an existential challenge we can’t ignore.

This will all be a key focus as we engage with policymakers in Brussels and across Europe over the next few months. Can I thank you all again for your continued engagement and support.

Kind regards,

Tinne Van der Straeten

CEO, WindEurope

WindEurope Careers Hub

Profile your company to future talent!

Every day, people across Europe are making decisions that shape their careers: what to study, where to work, or whether to move into a new sector. Wind needs to be one of the choices they see.

That is why WindEurope has created the Careers Hub the entry point into careers in the European wind industry. It gives students, job seekers, career changers and professionals from adjacent sectors one place to discover what a career in wind can look like, explore pathways and opportunities across the value chain, and connect directly with the companies behind them.

By participating, your company can increase its visibility among future talent and showcase the opportunities available within your organisation.

Find out how you can get involved

Funding Survey

Finding the right EU funding and financing opportunities can be challenging. With many programmes and financial instruments available, it is not always easy to identify those most relevant to your organisation. We want to help you access the right support.

To better tailor our services, please complete this short survey on EU funding and finance. It will take just 5-6 minutes.

Your input will help us deliver the right information, at the right time, in the format that works best for you. Please make sure to respond by 30 October.

Complete the survey here

Members’ Successes

NextFloat Achieves Major Milestones, Paving the Way for Cost-Effective Floating Wind

Advancing the Industrialisation of Floating Wind

Led by Technip Energies and X1 Wind, the NextFloat project is an innovative project designed to substantially reduce the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) and enable mass global deployment. The project will demonstrate X1 Wind’s competitive floating wind technology at pre-commercial scale.

The platform that will be deployed, X1 Wind’s X100, will be equipped with an 8.5 MW rated power turbine and combines the stability and low environmental impact of a Tension-Leg Platform (TLP) with the cost-efficiency of semi-submersible structures.

Lightweight Design and Minimised Impact

The NextFloat Project introduces several structural and operational innovations optimised for deep waters:

Significant Weight Reduction: The X100 primary steel platform features a lightweight design of approximately 1,500 tonnes for 160m diameter turbine. This achieves a 30% to 50% reduction in steel compared to existing pre-commercial pilots.
Streamlined Installation: The Single Point Mooring (SPM) platform utilises a patented Quick Connector System, enabling a one-day connection/disconnection to the pre-installed TLP mooring system. Consequently, hook-up times are slashed by over 80% when compared to current pre-commercial projects. Additionally, the required marine spread is reduced, needing fewer vessels with lower bollard pull capacities that are more widely available.
Low Environmental Impact: Using vertical mooring lines drastically reduces the seabed footprint compared to traditional catenary systems. Besides, by avoiding chains, the vertical tensioned lines prevent seabed dragging and minimize underwater noise, better integrating with marine fauna.

Key Supplier Innovations

A specialized network of industrial providers is delivering innovative technological sub-systems:

Serial Manufacturing (SLB): Advanced automation, DFX, and smart supply chain planning ensure high delivery cadences, shorter lead times, and lower fabrication costs for turret and TLP connectors.
Electrical Swivel (Moog): A high-voltage 66kV electrical swivel allows continuous 360-degree rotationwith zero cable twisting and >99.99% power transfer efficiency.
Synthetic Mooring Lines (FibreMax): High-stiffness synthetic aramid lines offer over 74 times the fatigue resistance of traditional steel.
Aluminium Dynamic Cables (Hellenic Cables): Lightweight dynamic subsea cables utilize aluminium conductors to maximize cost-efficiency.
Lean Logistics & Load-Out (Hebetec / Roll Group & Port Tarragona): The FOWELO process enables crane-free launches using standard barges without tide restrictions, supported by Port Tarragona’s 45-hectare terminal providing year-round assembly capabilities.

Regulatory and Technical Milestones Achieved

The NextFloat project has secured critical validations, ensuring it possesses the necessary technical and environmental approvals for offshore deployment.

The platform and mooring design were validated by DNV, and the project has already obtained its Design Certification, including coupled analysis with the turbine loads. Following this, the project’s installation site – the PlemCat test site in the Spanish Mediterranean Sea – secured its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Spanish Government in July 2026.

The PlemCat site features optimal conditions, including an average wind speed of 9.3 m/s, and sits within a priority zone for future commercial tenders in Spain (LEBA-1).

Contact X1 Wind and Technip Energies to learn more or get involved with the project.

More on X1 Wind More on X1 Technip energies

Member Interview: Prysmian

This month, we spoke to Raul Gil, EVP & CEO Transmission at Prysmian.

Read interview

WindEurope events

RE-Source 2026

Just 1 month to go until Europe’s leading renewable energy procurement event and tickets are selling fast! Here are 3 reasons not to miss it:

As renewable energy procurement becomes more complex and power market volatility increases, RE-Source 2026 will equip you with the insights and strategies needed to stay competitive.
Join 1,400+ attendees, including 350+ corporate energy buyers – from tech and data centres to manufacturing, telecoms, airports and consumer brands.
Join us for our 10th birthday party on 4 November as we celebrate a decade of turning clean energy into competitive advantage.

RE-Source is where connections are built, clean energy deals are done, and the future of renewable energy procurement takes shape.

EoLIS 2026

On 24 and 25 November, 300+ experts from industry, academia, government, investors and the sustainability community will meet at EoLIS 2026 in Bilbao, Spain to hear the latest answers to this central question: what do we do with our old wind turbines?

What can you expect at EoLIS?

15+ sessions on repowering, lifetime extension, decommissioning, circularity, reuse strategies and recycling – with case studies and market developments. Check out the full programme.
A strengthened focus on offshore end-of-life, including four dedicated sessions.
A chance to unwind with your peers: including at a special dinner at the Sociedad Bilbaina, a taste of iconic Basque cuisine in an historic setting!

We hope you’ll join us next month for a chance to share ideas, build connections, and help determine the future of Europe’s ageing wind fleet.

WindEurope Grids Workshop 2026

Grids are now the biggest bottleneck to cheaper, homegrown renewable electricity in Europe. So, where exactly do the bottlenecks sit and what will it take to clear them?

Join us at the WindEurope Grids Workshop – in collaboration with ERG and Hitachi Energy – in Rome on 26 November.