January 2026

Message from the WindEurope Chair & Vice-Chair

Dear WindEurope member,

Can we begin by wishing you every success in 2026.

As you’ll be aware, Giles Dickson officially stepped down as CEO last month after 10 years at WindEurope. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank him again for his tireless work on behalf of our industry. And to wish him all the best as he embarks on a new chapter as a schoolteacher in England.

We’ve led an extensive search for his replacement over the last few months. And we’re now very pleased to let you know that Tinne Van der Straeten will take over as WindEurope CEO from 2 February.

For those of you who don’t know her, Tinne is a former lawyer, parliamentarian and a long-time wind advocate, who served as Belgium’s Energy Minister from 2020 to 2025. She led a national response to the 2022 energy crisis and oversaw Belgium’s impressive wind buildout – pushing for ambitious targets and planning for the landmark Princess Elisabeth energy island. She also drove energy cooperation at a European level, chairing the North Seas Energy Cooperation during this time.

We’re very proud that she brings such a wealth of political and energy policy experience to this role. And we’re confident she’ll continue to draw on it as she builds on WindEurope’s success – leading our sector through the challenges ahead as we deliver secure and homegrown energy to all Europeans! Together we can make it happen – welcome to the team, Tinne! We’d also like to briefly mention WindEurope’s Work Programme for 2026. It sets out the Association’s priorities and activities for the coming 12 months. If we were to sum it up, three broad themes stand out:

1. Affordability. You’ll have seen we just released a major study showing that a renewables-based energy system – with wind at its heart – is Europe’s most cost-effective option. Even when you factor in the grid and backup costs. The message is clear – wind makes energy more affordable, and we have the figures to prove it. Now we need to make sure policymakers get this too – so that they double-down on wind in the years ahead.
2. Competitiveness. We’re in a unique position to help European industry stay competitive. And it’s existential for us too – if there’s no healthy European industry to service, wind energy doesn’t have a viable business model. These industries need big support to electrify – and cost-competitive wind energy will be key to meeting that challenge.
3. Security. Geopolitical tensions are mounting. It’s clear that Europe needs to shake its dependence on imported energy. And while more homegrown wind is important here, we need to protect our assets and infrastructure from physical and cyberattacks too. Meanwhile we also need to keep up the fight against false narratives – dis- and misinformation that could undermine support for wind across Europe.

We look forward to working with you all on these key issues. And we hope to see many of you when our industry meets again at WindEurope’s Annual Event from 21-23 April in Madrid – to address these challenges together. You can register here if you haven’t already.

Kind regards,

Henrik Andersen & Rasmus Errboe

WindEurope Chair & Vice-Chair

Members’ Successes

MILWAUKEE® introduces Project Zero – A New Safety Initiative Targeted at The Wind Energy Sector

The wind energy sector, more than most, faces critical safety challenges. Recent research reveals that only one-third of construction and energy workers feel completely safe on site, whilst 52% have experienced up to five major incidents throughout their careers. These findings, drawn from a 2025 study of over 3,000 professionals across 14 European countries, underscore an urgent need for change in an industry where workers operate in some of the most demanding environments imaginable.

In response, MILWAUKEE® launched Project Zero on World Day for Safety & Health at Work (28 April 2025). This industry-focused health and safety initiative brings a clear mission to the construction, installation, maintenance and energy sectors: zero accidents, zero emissions and zero compromises on safety.

As a new member of WindEurope, MILWAUKEE® developed Project Zero with specific consideration for the unique challenges facing wind energy professionals. The initiative aims to transform workplace safety from aspiration into tangible action, addressing the data-driven reality that current safety standards are not meeting the needs of those working at height, in remote locations and in unpredictable conditions.

Bringing focused safety expertise directly to wind energy sites

Project Zero operates through MILWAUKEE®’s Job Site Solutions (JSS) teams, who visit wind energy installations, operations and maintenance facilities, and active wind farm projects. Since its launch, MILWAUKEE® has delivered over 250 hands-on demonstrations, with wind energy sites becoming a key focus.

These sessions provide practical demonstrations, training and guidance on the latest safety features in tools and workwear equipment. The JSS teams share expertise on equipment selection, proper usage and maintaining safety standards in challenging conditions.

Crucially, these sessions provide genuine knowledge-sharing opportunities rather than commercial presentations. The JSS teams draw on MILWAUKEE®’s experience as a leading manufacturer of power tools, accessories and personal protective equipment to deliver this targeted training. Yet the focus remains firmly on helping wind energy professionals enhance their safety protocols and protect their teams.

An enduring commitment

The firm’s commitment to Project Zero extends to supporting future generations through training and apprenticeship programmes, ensuring that safety excellence becomes embedded in industry practice from the earliest stages of professional development.

The initiative emerged directly from insights gathered from industry professionals who identified the gap between existing safety measures and the realities of working in demanding environments. By listening to and engaging with these voices, Project Zero became a programme that addresses real-world challenges with practical solutions.

Wind energy professionals interested in participating in Project Zero sessions can contact MILWAUKEE® through WindEurope membership channels to discuss how the initiative can support their specific safety objectives.

As the wind energy sector continues its expansion, Project Zero is here to ensure that growth doesn’t come at the cost of worker safety. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing and an unwavering commitment to zero accidents, the initiative aims to establish new benchmarks for safety excellence across the industry.

More about MILWAUKEE®

Webinars

2025 EU Innovation Fund Call

The Innovation Fund is the EU’s largest funding programme for demonstrating and deploying innovative low-carbon technologies. The 2025 call is now open with a budget of €2.9bn– including €1bn for clean tech manufacturing. Candidates have until 23 April 2026 to apply.

To help you navigate the calls and secure project funding, WindEurope hosted a webinar on Tuesday 13 January. Together with experts from ABGi, we covered the major details of the call, any changes on last year, and guidance and tips for a successful application. If you missed it, you can check out the webinar recording here.

Watch the recording

Events

WindEurope Technology Workshop

WindEurope’s annual workshop on resource assessment and operating wind farm analysis is back on 11-12 June 2026 in Rotterdam! But first, we need your input…

We’ve opened a Call for Abstracts for the workshop – a chance for you to shape the event scope, put your research in the spotlight and boost industry knowledge.

What are we looking for?

• Stick to prescribed topics to ensure correct scoring.
• New, unpublished data-driven research that boosts sector knowledge.
• Keep abstracts non-commercial and under 500 words.

The deadline is in two weeks – 30 January 2026. We hope to hear from you soon!

Submit your abstract

WindEurope Annual Event 2026 – Register now!

16,000+ participants will be joining us at the IFEMA in Madrid – including at the 3-day conference. You’ll hear from 400+ top speakers in industry, Government, academia, NGOs, finance and from local communities. Together we can address the bottlenecks facing our industry and envision the role of wind in a revitalised Europe. Check out the programme here!

What else can you look forward to?

• Meet 500+ exhibitors from across the value chain of wind.
• See 200+ posters showcasing the latest innovation and research.
• Network and swap notes with your colleagues at dozens of social & side events.

So make sure to join us this April for some early spring sunshine and a chance to see the European wind industry up close, under one roof!

Register here