On 11 February 2026 European industry and EU leaders met in Antwerp to discuss strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, with affordable energy at the center. Wind energy is already one of the cheapest sources of electricity and can deliver large volumes of secure, predictable power. But the key missing piece is faster electrification of heavy industry, supported by governments through investment de-risking and better alignment of electricity supply and demand.
As WindEurope CEO Tinne Van der Straeten stresses, there is no competitiveness without accelerated electrification. Governments must remove barriers and create targeted measures to support electrified industrial processes.
Examples show progress is possible. Germany streamlined permitting for onshore wind under EU rules, leading to record approvals and auctions with strong investor interest and falling prices. In the United Kingdom, recent Contracts for Difference auctions delivered 8.4 GW of offshore wind, demonstrating how stable frameworks can drive large-scale, cost-effective deployment.
However, electrification in Europe remains stuck at 25%, while competitors like China move faster. The EU should publish guidance on electricity taxation and encourage Member States to cut electricity taxes and levies, helping industry access affordable renewable power and invest confidently in electrified production.
>> Read more at windeurope.org/news
