I’ll never forget the first time I stood under a massive offshore wind turbine. Towering above me, it felt like a giant from the future—silent, strong, and full of promise. That moment made it clear: wind energy isn’t some distant dream—it’s here, it’s real, and it’s ready.
So, when I read about the “Copenhagen Call to Action” from Europe’s wind energy leaders, I felt a mix of excitement and frustration. Excitement, because people like Henrik Andersen, the new chair of WindEurope, are pushing governments to act. Frustration, because we’ve been talking about these issues for years. And still, we’re asking for the same basic things.
Let’s break it down. The wind industry isn’t asking for magic. They’ve laid out three simple, practical demands:
- Faster permitting.
- Fairer rules for electrifying industry.
- Smarter investment tools like two-sided CfDs.
Sounds reasonable, right?
Take permitting. It’s a headache. Even when a wind project checks all the boxes, it can take years to get approved. Meanwhile, Germany has proven that progress is possible—they’ve permitted seven times more wind power than just five years ago! What’s stopping others? Bureaucracy, inertia, or maybe just a lack of political will.
And then there’s industrial electrification. This part really gets me. We tax electricity more than gas in several EU countries. How does that make any sense in 2025? It’s like punishing people for choosing cleaner energy. Companies that want to go green are stuck paying more, and that’s just bad policy.
Finally, those two-sided Contracts for Difference (CfDs). Now, I know that might sound a bit technical, but the idea is simple: give energy producers a stable, predictable income. In return, consumers are shielded from wild price swings. It’s a win-win. Developers can plan and build. Taxpayers aren’t left holding the bag when markets go nuts.
So, what’s the holdup?
Here’s the kicker. More than 60 offshore wind companies are standing behind a bold proposal—“A New Deal for Offshore Wind in Europe.” That’s unity. That’s leadership. But without clear backing from national governments, all that momentum could just… blow away.
It’s not just about energy anymore. It’s about jobs. Independence. Our future.
I’ve spent over four decades in logistics and energy projects. I’ve seen what happens when governments step up—and when they don’t. Europe has the chance to lead the world in wind. But leadership means action, not just speeches.
So, here’s my own call to action: If we want clean energy, cheaper bills, and secure supplies, it’s time for governments to catch the wind—and not let it pass them by.
