Europe awards record wind power capacity in 2024 auctions

European governments awarded a record 36.8 GW in wind energy auctions last year and 35% more than in 2023, WindEurope said in its annual statistics report. New capacity amounted to 16.4 GW, of which 12.9 GW in the European Union. Southeastern Europe including EU member states Croatia, Romania and Greece increased capacity by 1.76 GW, of which Turkey accounts for 1.31 GW.

Europe installed 16.4 GW of new wind power capacity in 2024 in gross terms, WindEurope’s statistical update showed. The EU contributed 12.9 GW. The shares of new onshore wind were 84% and 89%, respectively.

Notably, wind farms of an overall 1.33 GW were dismantled while 1.56 GW came from repowering some of the facilities that were decommissioned. It translates to 14.8 GW in net new capacity additions in Europe.

European countries awarded 36.8 MW in wind capacity in government auctions, more than ever before. The volume jumped 35% year over year. Twelve countries held auctions. They awarded 17 GW onshore (83% of the capacity on offer) and 19.9 GW offshore (85%).

Wind power capacity growth needs to double

At the end of last year there was 285 GW of wind power capacity in total – 248 GW onshore and 37 GW offshore. The EU accounts for 231 GW, 210 GW and 21 GW, respectively.

Cumbersome permitting, slow grid buildout and insufficient electrification are holding the wind energy sector back, WindEurope’s CEO Giles Dickson said

“Europe’s wind energy continues to grow but only at half the rate we need. That’s a huge missed opportunity. Every wind turbine built in Europe helps bring down electricity prices for businesses and households. Three things are holding us back: cumbersome permitting, slow grid buildout and insufficient electrification,” WindEurope’s Chief Executive Officer Giles Dickson said.

There is 187 GW of new wind power capacity in the 2025-2030 outlook. The EU would add 140 GW, the association said. It brings the total in Europe and the EU to 450 GW and 351 GW, respectively. To meet the EU’s 42.5% renewable energy target, installations in the EU would need to reach 425 GW by 2030.

Turkey is sixth in Europe in operational capacity

Turkey came in third in new onshore installations in 2024, with 1.31 GW. It compares to 1.76 GW in the entire region that Balkan Green Energy News tracks. The first in Europe in the onshore segment was Germany, 3.29 GW, followed by Finland, 1.41 GW.

As for the rest of Southeastern Europe, new wind power plants were registered in Croatia (47 MW), Greece (128 MW), Romania (50 MW), Bosnia and Herzegovina (109 MW) and Serbia (111 MW).

Turkey hosted 13.79 GW at the end of the reporting period, making it sixth in Europe. In the Balkans, Greece is second, with 5.35 GW, followed by Romania, 3.15 GW, and Croatia, 1.3 GW.

Bulgaria, at 706 MW, has been waiting for any new facilities since 2012. Serbia grew to 623 MW, closing in on its neighbor. There is now 244 MW online in Bosnia and Herzegovina. No country in the region has any offshore wind power capacity yet.

Wind covered 22% of electricity demand in Greece, the only country above the EU’s average 19%. Croatia follows with 14%, trailed by Romania’s 12% and Turkey’s 11%.

Looking at entire Europe, Denmark is by far the strongest in the category, with 56%. Ireland (33%), Sweden (31%), Germany (30%) and the UK (30%) were the other countries with a share of at least 30% in the electricity mix.

WindEurope has over 600 members from across the value chain such as wind turbine manufacturers, component suppliers, power utilities and wind farm developers, financial institutions, research institutes and national wind energy associations.