Wind Power Package

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    Background

    In October 2023, the European Commission presented a European Wind Power Action Plan to ensure that the clean energy transition goes hand-in-hand with industrial competitiveness and that wind power continues to be a European success story. The Action Plan will help maintain a healthy and competitive wind energy supply chain, with a clear and secure pipeline of projects, attracting the necessary financing and competing on a level playing field globally. It is accompanied by a Communication on delivering on the EU's offshore energy ambition, including wind power, following up on the EU Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy which was adopted three years ago.

    The Action Plan sets out immediate actions to be taken together by the European Commission, the Member States and the industry, building on existing policies and legislation and focusing on six main areas:

    • acceleration of deployment through increased predictability and faster permitting;
    • improved auction design;
    • access to finance;
    • a fair and competitive international environment;
    • large-scale skills partnerships for renewable energy;
    • industry engagement and Member States commitments.

     

    Key points

    The EESC:

    • supports the Commission's efforts to strengthen the EU wind industry and promote wind power development in the bloc since there is growing pressure from international competitors such as China and since a strong EU wind industry is vital for environmental, economic and social well-being. For this, the grid infrastructure needs to be significantly expanded, modernised and digitalised and the corresponding storage infrastructure must be created. Wind Power should be seen as critical infrastructure, with all corresponding privileges and due diligence obligations.
    • regrets that the Action Plan does not recognise energy communities, energy cooperatives, and energy sharing as a form of extended prosumption despite their importance in social, economic and energy efficiency terms. Effective citizen participation should be included as the 7th pillar of the Wind Power Action Plan. Without that, social acceptance of the transition, and especially wind power, is at risk.
    • recommends for high pre-qualification criteria to be applied to auctions to ensure that all bidders comply with security, occupational safety, collective bargaining, social and environmental requirements such as the need to promote a circular economy. Moreover, all relevant procedures, especially those relating to tenders and permits, urgently need to be fully digitalised and accelerated.

     

    Additional information

    Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

    Opinion number: TEN/827

    Opinion type: Optional

    Referral: COM(2023) 668 final COM(2023) 669 final

    Rapporteur: Thomas Kattnig (Group II - Austria)

    Date of adoption by section: 28 February 2024

    Result of the vote: 68 in favour, 2 against, 6 abstentions

    Date of adoption in plenary: 20-21 March 2024

    Result of the vote: 224 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions

     

    Contact

    Marco Pezzani

    Press Officer

    Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

    E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu

     

    Giorgia Bordignon

    Administrator

    Tel.: +32 546 8535

    E-mail: giorgiaandrea.bordignon@eesc.europa.eu