September 2026

Keep the momentum going

Our “must-haves” from policymakers this autumn

Welcome back! As autumn begins, things seem to be looking up for wind in Europe. We’re on track for a record year in new turbine installations and auctioned volumes. But we can’t take this progress for granted. If we want to see long-term buildout, Europe needs to make hay while the sun shines, and take the right policy decisions ASAP.

There’s been good news on electrification. The EU’s new Action Plan puts it at the heart of the competitiveness agenda, making electrification more attractive through lower taxes and smarter grid levies. But electrification and climate policy must go hand in hand. We still need a stronger ETS that sends a clearer carbon price signal and channels more revenue into industrial electrification.

As policymakers return to work, we’re asking them to focus on these priorities:

• Implementing EU permitting rules properly – permitting numbers are up in Germany but down or flat everywhere else. This is down to slow or completely lacking implementation.
• Making sure grids are finally properly planned towards net-zero, and clearing connection bottlenecks, thanks to the ongoing ‘Grids package’.
• Making sure the billions generated by the EU carbon market goes to industrial electrification – starting with low temperature processes.
• Giving visibility and scale to the market with well designed and coordinated auctions underpinned by a binding 2040 renewable energy target.

Action on these points will determine whether we accelerate and build on this progress or miss a major opportunity. As always we’ll keep you fully informed on what this means for you and your business.

WindEurope Intelligence Platform

Autumn update: 2026 mid-year statistics and outlook

Europe now has more than 311 GW of wind power capacity, 270.5 GW onshore and 40.9 GW offshore. We expect Europe to install 148 GW of new wind power capacity over 2026-2030 (including the 8.8 GW installed in H1 2026). This would bring total installations to 436 GW by 2030.

Check out our other market intelligence reports here:

• Offshore Statistics Report from H1 2026 (C2+)
• Q2 Wind Turbine Orders Monitoring report (C2+)

Members’ Successes

More than new turbines: What repowering really takes (VSB Group)

The Elster repowering wind farm in Saxony-Anhalt demonstrates the potential of existing wind energy sites. Success depends not only on modern turbines and higher output, but also on reliable regulatory frameworks, long-term planning, energy storage and continuous dialogue with local stakeholders.

At Elster, VSB is redeveloping a wind energy site that has been in operation for more than 25 years. Fifty older turbines are being replaced by 18 modern units. Sixteen have been operational since summer 2025, with two more due to be connected to the grid in the first half of 2027.

Once complete, installed capacity will rise to 118.8 MW – almost four times that of the previous wind farm. Forecast energy output will increase more than sevenfold, while land use will fall by around 30%. Elster shows how repowering can generate significantly more renewable electricity at established sites with fewer turbines.

But technology is only part of the challenge. Long-established wind farms often involve complex ownership and contractual structures, permitting issues and nature and species protection requirements. At Elster, 50 of the 57 existing turbines had to be acquired and more than 200 contracts with over 100 landowners reviewed and renegotiated.

The importance of regional engagement was highlighted in August 2026 at the “Politics under the turbine” event. Together with the German Wind Energy Association (BWE) and the Renewable Energy Association of Saxony-Anhalt (LEE), VSB brought together representatives from state and local government, industry, agriculture and civil society at the wind farm. Discussions focused on security of supply, regional value creation, land use and municipal participation.

The message was clear: acceptance of wind energy cannot be taken for granted. It grows where impacts and benefits are transparent and local stakeholders remain involved over the long term.

VSB is also looking beyond wind generation when developing existing sites. At Elster, a battery energy storage system (BESS) is planned. BESS can absorb short-term surpluses and release electricity when needed, helping to use existing grid connections more efficiently and integrate renewable generation into the power system.

A similar approach is taking shape just a few kilometres away at the Löberitz hybrid park, where VSB is combining the redevelopment of an existing wind site with solar PV and planned battery storage. Combining different generation profiles with storage creates further opportunities to use existing land and grid capacity efficiently.

For the European wind industry, this represents an important next step: not only repowering existing sites, but gradually developing them into integrated renewable energy parks.

VSB will bring these experiences to WindEnergy Hamburg in September, contributing to the industry discussion on how repowering, hybridisation and storage can support the next phase of wind energy expansion.

Comparative study shows: Activated zinc-rich epoxy system provides corrosion protection on same level as thermal spray metallisation (Hempel)

Eliminating thermal spray metallisation reduces complexity of the coating application process and decreases carbon footprint by up to 28%

Thermal spray metallisation has been an effective protective method used against corrosion in severe offshore environments, for instance in duplex systems for wind turbine towers. However, thermal spray metallisation is not available in required quality and volumes in all countries.

Based on a customer request, Hempel asked an independent test institute to conduct a comparative anti-corrosion test between a duplex system based on thermal spray metallization and an activated zinc-rich epoxy system based on Hempel’s Avantguard technology. DNV reviewed the test results and confirmed that corrosion protection was on the same level. A third party inspection report from German offshore wind farm Alpha Ventus confirmed the good performance. 16 years after installation the corrosion system based on Hempel’s conventional zinc rich primer was found fully functionable. Hempel’s Avantguard technology is a further development of its conventional zinc rich primer.

To evaluate the environmental impact, Hempel and DNV conducted a comparative lifecycle assessment. Results showed that eliminating thermal spray metallization can reduce carbon footprint by up to 28% and significantly reduce the complexity of the coating application process. In a first pilot project, working hours were reduced by more than 40%.

“Customers are looking for solutions that combine long-term protection with a lower environmental impact,” said Katharina Kollack, Head of Global Key Account Management, Renewables at Hempel. “This study shows that activated zinc-rich epoxy systems can offer a practical and more sustainable alternative for offshore projects.”

The findings support Hempel’s ambition to help accelerate the energy transition by developing solutions that contribute to more sustainable infrastructure. The company will continue to monitor the performance of first reference projects and prepare more projects with Avantguard systems as substitute of thermal spray metallization in Europe and Asia.

Visitors interested in learning more can meet Hempel at WindEnergy Hamburg 2026 at the Danish Pavilion, Hall B1, Booth B1.EG.316.

Further insights will be shared during the presentation “Sustainable Alternative to Metallising Steel Structures Exposed to Offshore Environments”, delivered by Christoph Brösamle, Head of Sustainability, Energy & Infrastructure, Hempel, at the Speakers Corner, Offshore Stage B5, on 23 September 2026 from 16:15 to 16:25.

Careers Hub

This September, WindEurope will launch the Careers Hub, a new initiative helping students, graduates, jobseekers and career changers explore careers in wind energy and pathways into the sector. The Hub is part of the Build Your Future in Wind campaign, which supports awareness of wind careers and the industry’s future talent pipeline.

The official launch will take place at WindEnergy Hamburg, where WindEurope will engage directly with future talent through campaign activities and Careers Hub promotion.

Interested in getting involved? Companies interested in increasing their visibility to future talent and being featured in the Careers Hub are invited to contact the WindEurope Education & Skills team.