Language
Country/Area
No result found
How will wind power overtake coal for the first time in 2023 and rewrite Europe's energy landscape?
2023 is a historic year for Europe's energy market. This year, wind power surpassed coal in electricity generation for the first time and became an important source of energy supply for Europe. According to the latest data, in 2023, the total installed capacity of wind energy in Europe reached 255 gigawatts (GW), a figure that shows the growth potential of wind energy compared to the power generation capacity in 2017.
"The rise of wind power is not only a victory for renewable energy, but also an important step in our fight against climate change."
The rapid growth of wind energy is due to several factors, one of which is a shift in public policy. The European Wind Energy Association (now WindEurope) says that by 2023, wind power will generate 193 terawatt hours (TWh), while coal will generate only 184 TWh. This change sends a clear signal: renewable energy is no longer a secondary option, but one of the main sources of energy.
Growth and policy support of wind energy
According to the European Wind Energy Policy Package published by the European Commission in October 2023, the plan aims to simplify the deployment of wind energy, including speeding up processes such as licensing and auction design. The new policy places particular emphasis on increasing investment in offshore wind power and marine energy. These policies are designed to help Europe achieve its energy and climate goals by 2030.
"Wind energy already accounts for 37% of renewable electricity generation in the EU and supports nearly 300,000 jobs in the economy."
According to the latest survey, public support for wind energy remains at around 80%. This suggests that, despite continued opposition in some areas, overall audience response to wind energy is positive. In 2014, Denmark achieved a wind energy penetration rate of 56%, becoming one of the world's leading wind energy countries.
Current Status of Wind Energy Development in Various Countries
Germany
As one of the largest wind energy markets in Europe, Germany's share of wind energy in renewable energy has increased year by year. In 2014, wind energy provided 9.7% of the country's total electricity supply. The number of wind power equipment in Germany is gradually increasing, and the country's investment in offshore wind power is also growing.
Ireland
Ireland also has great wind energy potential, and as of 2019, wind energy already met 36% of the country's electricity needs. Wind energy is expected to continue to grow as new offshore wind projects come online.
Finland and Estonia
Finland and Estonia are also actively developing wind energy. Estonia had an installed wind power capacity of 269.4 MW in 2013 and plans to build more offshore projects; Finland also shows good prospects for the development of wind power.
Future challenges and opportunities
Despite strong momentum in wind energy, several challenges remain within the sector. It is particularly noteworthy that policy uncertainty still has an impact on investors. In addition, local opposition to wind farms also needs to be managed properly. For example, in a wind power project in Sweden, large-scale development was hindered due to calls from local residents for the protection of historical landscapes.
“The development of renewable energy must be balanced with the expectations of local communities.”
As the 2030 target approaches, the renewable potential of wind energy remains huge. Under the REPowerEU plan, Europe is expected to further increase its wind power installed capacity and reach higher sustainability targets by 2040.
The recovery of wind power generation will also promote the research and development of new technologies and may change the future energy market structure. With the combination of photovoltaic and wind power, we may be able to usher in a greener and more sustainable future.
In the face of such a major change, what challenges and opportunities do you think the European energy market will face?
