RWE
Visit our stand
Hall D, Stand D-G10, D-H10
It’s time to ramp up the European offshore wind supply chain on a large scale. What we need is a targeted action plan and cost-reflective offshore wind auction designs. Only with the right investment framework can offshore wind create valuable jobs in the future and deliver long-term low-price electricity.
Q&A with Sven Utermöhlen, CEO Offshore Wind, RWE Renewables
What is the most pressing priority for your company today?
One answer to the current energy crisis is to speed up and scale up the expansion of renewables, particularly offshore wind energy. We have seen ambitious expansion targets all over Europe. That is justifiable, because it is necessary. However, current European offshore wind supply chains cannot provide the volumes required and need to grow substantially. To progress rapidly, we need a comprehensive action plan and cost-reflective offshore wind auction designs. After all, only with the right investment framework offshore wind can create valuable jobs in the future and deliver long-term low-price electricity for consumers in Europe.
How does RWE Offshore wind contribute in addressing this issue?
As a major global offshore wind player with more than 20 years of experience in the business, we have an excellent track record of developing, constructing and delivering complex wind projects at sea. We work closely together with the European supply chain. At RWE we are investing more than €50 billion gross in our green core business by 2030 – that is €50 billion for climate protection. A considerable share will be used to grow our global offshore wind capacity to 8 GW by 2030 from now 3 GW (accounting only for RWE’s share). The focus for further growth is on North America, the Asia Pacific region, and Europe in particular.
What do you like about the wind industry?
I like the passion of the people who are driving the energy transition by developing, building and operating wind farms every day. And we need more. More wind power on land and at sea, and more professionals. Copenhagen is the right place for bringing the important players of the European wind industry together.
It’s time to pick up the pace. The allocation of land for wind farms and the approval processes need to speed up. On top of that, all renewable energy projects in the EU should be classified as “matters of overriding public interest” until climate neutrality is achieved.
Q&A with Katja Wünschel, CEO Onshore Wind and Solar Europe & Australia, RWE Renewables
What is the most pressing priority for your company today?
The expansion of renewables is currently experiencing a strong boost. Nevertheless, we must take advantage of the momentum without slowing down. In fact, to achieve the ambitious expansion targets for renewables, the EU must further heighten the pace. Renewable energies should be classified as “a matter of overriding public interest” until climate neutrality is achieved. This facilitates the designation of sufficient areas and helps to speed up the approval procedures, which have been a major obstacle to the expansion of wind energy in the EU so far.
How does RWE’s onshore wind division help address this issue?
As one of the world’s leading companies in the renewable energy sector, RWE is resolutely driving forward its expansion. By the end of this decade, we will invest more than €50 billion gross in green technologies. We are moving fast – we currently have around 20 onshore projects under construction in seven countries in Europe. In our home market Germany, we are realising every renewable project that is possible. RWE is an established, trustworthy business partner in this sector. We plan, build and operate our wind farms from a single source and incorporate each new project into our own portfolio. We are investing in projects, sites, and our teams. We are opening new offices worldwide and expanding our workforce considerably. In other words, we are making our contribution to the energy transition.
What do you like about the wind industry?
We are all part of the most exciting industry of all. Because we are shaping the energy transition! It is crucial that the areas for onshore wind power are designated quickly. It is crucial that wind turbines are granted all permits even faster. It is crucial that construction does not fail due to a lack of grid connections or long processes. Our actions count, because we need every green kilowatt hour produced. For our security of supply, for our independence, for the climate. And working on this is a monumental, meaningful task.
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