For that to happen, the target agreed by EU heads of States needs to be 'rapidly translated into effective legislation', said the industry body in a press release.
During EWEC, the main challenges have been discussed by wind turbine manufacturers, component suppliers, developers, utilities, research institutes, national wind power associations together with national authorities and the European institutions. EWEA hopes that the conference conclusions will be taken into account in the new regulatory framework for renewable energy in Europe.
In order to fulfill the potential for wind energy in Europe, EWEA is helping legistators with some suggestions:
- The binding 20%target must be translated into ambitious national action plans in all EU countries;
- Specific and binding goals per sub-sector (electricity, heating and transport) must be included in the national roadmaps;
- Legal stability for renewable electricity in the EU must be maintained until an improved legal framework is in place - particularly with regard to the successful 2001 Directive on Electricity from Renewable Energy .
- An EU action plan to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind power must be tabled by the European Commission. The Action Plan should include a comprehensive analysis of the risks and barriers to the large scale development of offshore.
- Simplified grid access, grid reinforcement and increase interconnection are crucial preconditions for large scale deployment of wind energy. The existing guidelines for Trans-European Energy networks – the TEN-E guidelines - could provide a useful framework for upgrading the European grid infrastructure and plan it with integration for renewable energy sources in mind.
- Innovation - key element for ensuring a sustainable development of the technology and to maintain the European leadership worldwide. The R&D component of the wind energy sector is insufficiently recognized by the public authorities at national and EU level.
- Progress on the achievement of a truly competitive and European-wide electricity market, which does not discriminate against renewables.
This year’s event saw over 5,000 participants attending from around 50 countries and 229 exhibiting companies, which shows the potential of the industry. Many say that the wind industry is ready to compete with some fossil fuels already, after some years of rapid growth and drops in price per unit of output. Last year, Europe saw a new trend, as a big growth was experienced in countries other than Germany, Spain and Denmark, the traditional home to most of the growth, which shows a healthy diversification of company's portfolio from a mature industry. Good news!
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