Infrastructure shortfalls could hamper wind build-out, says WindEurope

Grid congestion, permitting hold-ups and insufficient electrification could put the brakes on a potential wind build-out of 24GW this year, says the trade association WindEurope.

In the first half of 2026 offshore wind made up 26% of installations at 2.3GW, which was three times as much as the same period in 2025 – but just four countries added the capacity – Germany, the UK, France and Denmark.

WindEurope made the announcement as it elected Ørsted CEO Rasmus Errboe as its new chair and Enel Green Power CEO Salvatore Bernabei as vice-chair, beginning an 18-month tenure.

“We now need to turn ambition into action by accelerating electrification, expanding our grids, and creating the right conditions for investment across Europe,” said Errboe.

Slow grid build-out means new capacity has nowhere to connect: in the UK alone, taxpayers had to pay up to £200 million in 2024 to wind turbine operators to switch them off.

Insufficient electrification means the demand side isn’t being built out to absorb the power wind can generate, and cumbersome permitting continues to delay projects before they can even break ground. Poor auction design and uncertainty around the EU’s 2040 renewables target are described as threats to Europe’s energy and security goals.

Incoming Vice-Chair Salvatore Bernabei, who also takes over the Chairmanship of the WindEurope Management Committee, said this was ‘a pivotal moment for Europe’s competitiveness, industrial resilience and energy security’ and committed to push the energy transition forward ‘with pragmatism, speed and impact’.

Alfredo Parres of Hitachi Energy joins as vice-chair of the Committee.

The leadership transition also marks the departure of outgoing Chair Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, who WindEurope thanked for his leadership and commitment throughout his tenure.