About the event
“A European success story” – The priceless value of wind energy
All over Europe, energy has made headline news. Energy security challenges and rising bills impacted European families and businesses in the wake of the war in Ukraine. This major geopolitical challenge has shown imported fossil fuels don’t deliver the stable, competitive and decarbonised energy supply Europe needs to thrive.
Enter wind energy. Turbines have always been vital in the fight against climate change. But now the value of wind goes much further. It’s 300,000 jobs in Europe – and growing. It’s €42bn of European GDP. It is 19% of Europe’s electricity. It delivers benefits for local communities. And leads to a healthy balance with biodiversity. And importantly – it’s a homegrown, clean, and affordable option. A truly European solution to the energy dilemma.
WindEurope’s Annual Event in Bilbao is a key gathering of all parts of the European wind energy value chain. And our focus for this event is to champion the added value of wind – for European livelihoods, for our security, and in the fight to preserve our natural environment.
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Wind energy supports Europe’s autonomy
In a volatile world, Europe can’t outsource its energy needs to unstable and unreliable partners. It undermines our autonomy.
Wind power is a European success story. Our turbines are made in Europe. And they’re operated by Europeans. By putting the power back in our hands, a healthy European wind industry is our greatest guarantee of energy security.
Wind energy is a major source of employment
The wind industry brings employment opportunities across Europe. We need engineers to lay the groundwork for our wind farms. Operators to keep turbines working. Data engineers to monitor them. Environmental scientists to assess their impact. And technical innovators to deliver breakthrough solutions.
And we actively support reskilling in regions affected by the energy transition, to attract a new workforce to deliver the buildout of wind.
Wind energy supports communities big and small
As a decarbonised energy source, wind is better for the environment than other sources of power. But wind brings a number of other benefits to local communities.
Wind farms raise around €1bn in local taxes. And shared ownership and community engagement allows the revenue from wind farms to be shared locally. All this gives residents a greater stake in their energy supply – making wind a truly homegrown energy source. We need to build on this partnership wherever we can, learn from best practice all over Europe, and foster trust between the industry and the people we serve.
Wind energy brings growth and investment to Europe
Wind power in Europe is an economic juggernaut. Every turbine we build generates €11m in economic activity. As a European exporter, wind delivers €9bn in goods and services. And altogether the industry pays €5bn in taxes to the EU’s economy.
Despite recent challenges, we’ve continued to deliver as a key European sector – with 250 factories turning out wind turbine components right across Europe. And with funding unlocked under the EU’s Wind Power Package, we can expect further growth and investment as wind energy scales-up across the continent.
Wind energy supports nature
As a readily available source of energy, which isn’t mined or shipped, wind saves 118 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Wind farms can be built in many different locations – on farmland, in mountains, and in between major fishing grounds. Turbines can also protect habitats – creating pollinator-friendly spaces and helping preserve marine environments, especially offshore.
Input from environmentalists is crucial to the buildout of wind. Through consultations and impact assessments we can ensure a peaceful coexistence between wind farms and the natural environment. This partnership has been ongoing for many years – and we need to continue building on it in the years ahead.
As European voters and leaders weigh up their options – in the context of war, recession, and climate change – now is the time to state the case for wind energy. In the fight to address the climate crisis, wind is key to decarbonisation. In an increasingly competitive market, our wind industry is still a global leader – and a valuable economic asset. And in a world where energy security is key – wind puts Europeans in control.
This year in Bilbao, join us as we take stock, look at ongoing challenges, and show the world what we as an industry do best. Our message to Europe is clear – you can count on wind!
