The Board of WindEurope today (March 26) elected Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, to be the new Chair of WindEurope. And they elected Rasmus Errboe, the CEO of Ørsted, as Vice-Chair.
Henrik and Rasmus will lead the wind industry's engagement with Governments, other stakeholders and wider society in Europe for the next 18 months. Wind is now 20% of all the electricity consumed in Europe. The EU want it to be 35% by 2030 and over half by 2050. And they want wind to help drive the electrification of industry and the rest of the energy system which is central to Europe remaining competitive and achieving its energy and climate security goals.
Henrik and Rasmus take up their roles at a critical moment for the energy transition in Europe and for Europe's wider economic security.
Wind is a key driver for affordable electricity and industrial competitiveness. Wind is competitive and home-grown. It reduces the need to import fossil fuels and strengthens Europe's energy security. Presenting the EU's Clean Industrial Deal, Commission President von der Leyen said: "Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels is the main cause of these higher and more volatile energy prices. The more we have to import fossil fuels, the more dependent we are on the global market. We have to bring these prices down."
With the Clean Industrial Deal, the EU once more underlined the strategic importance of manufacturing wind and other clean tech equipment in Europe. Von der Leyen also pledged to speed up permitting, upgrade electricity grids and foster innovation to "make our low-carbon energy available all across Europe".
That's urgently needed. The European wind industry has invested 11bn in the last 2 years in its supply chain to meet the demand for more wind energy. But the EU is building only half the new wind energy capacity it needs to deliver on its 2030 energy security and climate targets. Cumbersome permitting, slow grid build-out and insufficient electrification undermine investments in new wind farms. Poor auction design threatens the business case of new projects.
Henrik Andersen said: "We are in a defining moment for Europe's future. We need an industry and an energy source that can deliver home-grown, secure and affordable energy, while strengthening Europe's competitiveness. Wind energy can contribute to all of this, and now is the time for Europe to bolster its wind industry. The European Commission and member states have set high targets, but this momentum must translate ambition into implementation. I am honoured to serve as Chair of WindEurope in this crucial time for Europe and for wind energy. I look forward to working closely with Vice Chair, Rasmus Errboe, and extend my thanks to the Wind Europe members for trusting in me as your Chair for the coming eighteen months."
Rasmus Errboe said: "I'm honoured to be elected Vice-Chair of WindEurope at a time where wind power is needed more than ever to provide energy security, support Europe's competitiveness, and mitigate climate change. But the industry is challenged by rising costs, risks and a lack of long-term visibility needed for investment in the supply chain and large infrastructure projects. I will make it top of my agenda to work closely with industry and policy-makers across Europe to address these challenges and ensure that wind energy delivers on Europe's critical needs."
