Sessions

The current outlook for wind in Europe

High-level & plenaries

When: Tuesday, 25 September 2018, 14:00 - 15:00
Where: Room: Brussels

Session description

Over the last decade wind energy developed into a key driver of decarbonisation in Europe. The wind industry delivered on cost competitiveness and weathered difficult periods in individual markets. But the environment has become more uncertain. Greater political and merchant risk affect even the most advanced markets. Challenges abound: more wind power makes local acceptance and grid integration issues more salient; the rise of protectionism could have major consequences for an industry that has gone global; a large share of Europe’s turbine fleet will soon reach the end of its lifetime. But opportunities exist: end-of-life can also result in new business; new financing instruments like green bonds and corporate PPAs help the industry to address market risk while building bridges to other sectors of the economy; and digitalisation can lead to further cost reductions. A landmark EU reform is about to be finalised, setting out the legal framework for renewables for a decade. After that, EU countries will develop national plans to comply. These will strongly impact the strength of domestic markets for wind in Europe. This session will bring together a panel of industry leaders to discuss the current outlook for wind in Europe: what are the key challenges and barriers that need to be addressed today to ensure that wind energy retains a strong domestic base in Europe and further contributes to decarbonizing Europe’s economy whilst delivering jobs and revenues to local communities?

Session chair

Susanne Rompel

Head of EU Representative Office, Innogy

Panel Discussion

Markus Tacke

CEO, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Bruno Bensasson

CEO, EDF Renewables

Duncan Berry

CEO, LM Wind Power

Gunnar Groebler

CEO Wind, Vattenfall

Ditlev Engel

CEO, DNV GL Energy

Diego Pavia

CEO, Innoenergy

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