The wind sector has issued the ‘Copenhagen Call to Action’, urging European governments to adopt three priority measures to strengthen energy independence and industrial competitiveness. These actions are intended to complement the full and immediate implementation of the European Union Clean Industrial Deal.
1. Implement EU permitting rules: Recent improvements in permitting have accelerated project approvals, as seen in Germany, where onshore wind permits have increased sevenfold compared to five years ago. The industry also calls for removal of inactive ‘zombie’ projects from grid connection queues.
2. Support electrification: Governments are encouraged to allow state aid for renewable power purchase agreements beyond onsite consumption, and to reduce non-energy taxes on electricity bills to make renewables more cost-effective.
3. De-risk investment with Contract for Difference auctions: A stable pipeline of two-sided CfD auctions would help lower financing costs, provide long-term revenue certainty, and offer better value for public funds.
