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Europe's € 36 bn Industrial Success Story: But for How Long?

Brussels, Belgium - The European wind industry contributed € 36 bn to the EU’s GDP in 2016, supports 263,000 jobs and generated € 8 bn of exports outside of Europe.

These are the main findings of a new report, “Local Impact, Global Leadership” carried out by Deloitte for WindEurope and published today. The report also outlines what the wind industry saves Europe in terms of reduced fossil fuel imports (€32bn from 2011-2016) and CO2 emissions (166 million tons of CO2 in 2016) and what it contributes to government tax revenues (€4.9 bn in 2016).

According to WindEurope, the report shows how wind energy creates value not only for the wind industry but for the wider economy. Every €1,000 of turnover generated in the wind industry generates €250 of economic activity in other sectors such as metals, chemicals, electrical equipment and machinery, construction and engineering. Much of the industry and supply chain is located in economically less-advantaged areas. And it brings quality jobs to those areas: 82% of the 263,000 jobs are high-skilled.

Wind farms also bring direct benefits to the communities where they’re located, whether through local citizens sharing the revenues through community ownership or the operators paying local taxes to the town or district authorities.

That’s the good news. The less good news is that Europe’s really got its work cut out to maintain this success. Job growth in the industry has flat-lined in the last five years as many countries have become less ambitious on renewables: half the EU Member States invested nothing in wind last year. Net exports of wind equipment are falling in the face of strong competition from emerging economies: down from € 3 bn in 2011 to € 2.4 bn today. This is due to European turbine manufacturers sourcing more components from outside Europe. The policy ambition and clarity needed to sustain wind’s contribution to the European economy is currently not in place.

“Renewable energy policy means industrial policy – wind energy is making major contributions to economies on a national and international level. The main requirement for the wind industry and green, sustainable growth in Europe is a stable, reliable and long-term political framework post-2020,” said Hans-Dieter Kettwig, Managing Director, ENERCON.

Anders Runevad, Group President & CEO, Vestas, added: “The wind industry is key to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and has dramatically lowered the cost of wind energy, creating jobs and investments and contributing directly and indirectly to a huge range of industries in Europe. Wind energy is cheaper than many fossil fuels and it’s time for the EU to review its 2030 renewable energy target and raise it to at least 35 per cent.”

The report was issued at the WindEurope Conference & Exhibition in Amsterdam, which takes place from 28. to 30. November.



Source: IWR Online, 30 Nov 2017