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

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