Europe is making significant strides in the expansion of wind energy as a core strategy for energy security and emissions reduction. Christoph Zipf, Press & Communications Manager at WindEurope, highlights to Strategic Energy Europe that the sector is currently undergoing a transformation, with new opportunities and challenges that will shape its development in the coming years.

The Challenge of Competing with China in the Wind Energy Industry

One of the primary challenges facing the sector is competition from China, whose rapid growth in wind technology production has been significant. “China has built a massive supply chain for wind energy, and its manufacturers are now competing internationally with European companies,” Zipf explains.

However, he clarifies that the European industry continues to lead the regional market: “With the exception of a few turbines, almost all those operating in Europe today have been manufactured and assembled on the continent.” This autonomy has helped Europe maintain its competitiveness, although further strengthening of the industry is needed to ensure long-term sustainability.

The Impact of the Net Zero Industry Act on Wind Energy Expansion

To consolidate Europe’s leadership in the wind energy sector, the European Commission has introduced the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), a crucial piece of legislation within the European Green Deal that seeks to strengthen industrial autonomy in clean technology production and reduce dependence on foreign imports. This framework sets concrete targets to expand Europe’s renewable energy manufacturing capacity, ensuring a competitive and sustainable energy transition.

“The package aims to increase Europe’s wind turbine manufacturing capacity to over 36 GW per year by 2030,” Zipf explains. By the end of 2025 the European supply chain will have the capacity to manufacture 9.5 GW of offshore and 22.5 GW of onshore wind turbines a year, underscoring the urgent need for new factories, infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.

Moreover, the NZIA introduces major changes to auction processes: “Tenders will now prioritise criteria beyond price, such as sustainability, cybersecurity, and industrial impact,” Zipf highlights. This initiative aims to support European manufacturers and reinforce industry resilience against increasing global competition, particularly from China.

The legislation also addresses one of the biggest barriers to sector growth: bureaucratic delays in project approvals. With the NZIA’s implementation, permit processes are expected to become more streamlined, allowing for a faster deployment of new wind farms. “Eliminating bottlenecks in project authorisation is crucial to achieving expansion goals,” Zipf adds.

Key Trends in the Wind Energy Sector and Expectations for 2025

The European wind energy sector is evolving rapidly. WindEurope estimates that by 2030, wind power will account for 34% of Europe’s electricity consumption, up from the current 19%.

Among the main trends shaping the industry, Zipf highlights the growing role of electrification in sectors that still rely on fossil fuels. “We have made great progress in the power sector, but much remains to be done in mobility, heating, and industrial consumption,” he notes. The increasing competitiveness of wind energy will accelerate electrification in these areas, pushing Europe closer to its climate goals.

Additionally, the European wind industry is investing over 10 billion euros in expanding factories, component production, and infrastructure improvements. “It’s not just turbine manufacturers that are growing, but the entire supply chain, including cables, grid components, and specialised vessels,” Zipf adds.

The Potential of Green Hydrogen in Offshore Projects

Another key development is the integration of wind energy with green hydrogen production at sea. Although still an emerging technology, it has sparked significant interest within the industry. “Many commitments and projects are emerging in this space, but technical aspects, such as the location of electrolysers and hydrogen transportation, are yet to be defined,” Zipf explains.

Green hydrogen could play a vital role in exporting renewable energy and decarbonising hard-to-electrify industrial sectors. However, its feasibility will depend on new infrastructure developments and sustainable business models.

The Future of European Wind Energy

Wind energy continues to strengthen its position as a core pillar of Europe’s energy strategy. With the support of the Net Zero Industry Act, the industry is preparing for accelerated growth, tackling global competition while exploring new opportunities such as green hydrogen.

“Europe has the potential to remain a leader in wind energy if it strengthens its supply chain, accelerates project development, and ensures a stable regulatory framework,” Zipf concludes.

In this context, the European wind energy sector must not only respond to rising demand for renewable energy but also ensure its expansion is both sustainable and globally competitive.