As Europe faces mounting challenges to its energy security and industrial competitiveness, the European wind industry has launched a new set of policy recommendations – the Copenhagen Call to Action. The call outlines three key measures to accelerate the build-out of wind energy and support the EU’s ambition to strengthen its clean energy leadership.

Presented during the WindEurope 2025 event in Copenhagen, the initiative comes at a time when Europe’s energy system is undergoing a fundamental transformation. With wind energy already supplying 20 per cent of the EU’s electricity needs – and a target of 35 per cent by 2030 – a faster expansion of renewables is seen as essential to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and delivering long-term industrial competitiveness.

Wind energy as a pillar of the Clean Industrial Deal

The Copenhagen Call to Action aligns with the EU’s recently announced Clean Industrial Deal, which places electrification and renewable energy at the centre of Europe’s industrial policy. Wind energy – a domestic and increasingly cost-competitive source – plays a key role in this strategy. For energy-intensive industries, wind provides a reliable and affordable alternative to fossil fuels, helping businesses reduce emissions and energy costs.

Today, the European wind supply chain is actively scaling up to meet growing demand. Over €11 billion is currently being invested in new manufacturing facilities across the continent. However, industry leaders warn that permitting bottlenecks, delayed grid development, inefficient auction design, and slow electrification are holding back progress.

A call for action: three recommendations

To address these barriers, the Copenhagen Call to Action presents three concrete policy measures:

1. Apply the new EU permitting rules: Member States are encouraged to fully implement the revised permitting framework, which has already led to a sevenfold increase in onshore wind permitting in Germany. The industry also calls for better management of grid connection queues by removing non-viable projects.

2. Remove barriers to electrification: Governments should enable state aid for industrial consumers to sign long-term renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs), and reduce non-energy charges on electricity bills to make renewables the most attractive choice for end-users.

3. De-risk wind investments: A stable pipeline of two-sided Contracts for Difference (CfDs) would improve investment certainty, lower financing costs, and provide good value for governments.

Strengthening Europe’s position

As European governments and industry leaders gather in Copenhagen, the wind sector is signalling its readiness to deliver on the EU’s climate and competitiveness goals. The recommendations serve as a timely reminder that accelerating the deployment of wind energy is not only a climate imperative – it is also a strategic opportunity for Europe’s economy.

“Europe is in a moment of transition. To secure European influence in the global economy, we need more secure, affordable and sustainable energy. Wind energy is already driving industrial growth and energy independence across Europe, we just need to scale up. This calls for increasing viable demand for wind energy, and strengthening wind’s market environment. WindEurope Copenhagen will be a critical opportunity for European Governments and industry to agree on how we can achieve this, together.” Henrik Andersen, Chairman of WindEurope.