EU adds 17 GW of new wind energy in 2023

Alina Oprea
The EU has built 17 GW of new wind energy in 2023, slightly up in 2022 – and more than ever in a single year. WindEurope data shows this is insufficient to reach the EU's 2030 targets. The EU should be building 30 GW of new wind annually between now and 2030. The actions in the EU Wind Power Package and European Wind Charter will help increase the annual build-out.

The wind was 19% of all electricity produced in Europe last year.

According to WindEurope data, the EU built 17 GW of new wind farms in 2023: 14 GW onshore; and 3 GW offshore. These numbers are slightly up in 2022 and are the most the EU has ever built in a single year. But it's well below the 30 GW a year that the EU needs to build to meet its new 2030 climate and energy security targets.

Germany built the most new wind capacity followed by the Netherlands and Sweden. The Netherlands built the newest offshore wind, including the 1.5 GW “Hollandse Kust Zuid”, for now, the world's largest wind farm.

The IEA estimates that Europe will build 23 GW a year of new wind over 2024-28. The actions set out in the EU Wind Power Package should deliver a significant increase in the annual build-out – and strengthen Europe's wind energy supply chain. Crucial actions include the further simplification of permitting, improvements in the design of the auctions to build new wind farms, and public financial support for wind turbine manufacturing and key infrastructure.

Wind was 19% of the electricity produced in the EU last year. Hydro was 13%, solar 8%, and biomass 3%. Renewables in total amounted to 44% of electricity produced.

The amount of electricity produced from 1 GW of wind continued to grow. The “capacity factor” of new onshore wind farms now ranges from 30-48%, and new offshore wind is consistently 50%.

RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Business

L'Oréal hits 100% renewable energy in Europe

L'Oréal has announced that, as of December 2024, all its European operations—including factories, offices, and distribution centers—are now powered entirely by renewable energy.

Industry

Europe must speed hybrid solar adoption for sustainability

Europe's energy landscape stands at a transformative crossroads, as hybrid solar technology emerges as a powerful solution, capable of significantly enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and affordability of renewable energy systems.

Industry

Ocean Winds taps Polish firm for BC-Wind

Ocean Winds, a joint venture equally owned by EDP Renováveis and Engie, has selected Polish firm Crist Offshore to deliver the offshore substation for its 500 MW BC-Wind project.

READ MORE
Green Forum  |  1 April, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Green Forum  |  1 April, 2025 at 4:00 PM