WindEurope chair calls for action on competitiveness, security and electrification

Mr Errboe, who is Ørsted group president and chief executive, will work alongside WindEurope chief executive Tinne Van der Straeten to continue to advance the industry’s agenda. His appointment comes as wind energy plays an increasingly important role in Europe’s competitiveness, energy security, affordability, and climate action.

Mr Errboe said, “Wind energy is key to addressing the challenges facing Europe. We need secure, renewable, and affordable energy that strengthens our competitiveness, supports jobs, and drives innovation.

“Europe has built a world-leading wind industry as part of the solution to these challenges. We now need to turn ambition into action by accelerating electrification, expanding our grids, and creating the right conditions for investment across Europe. As chair, I look forward to working with policymakers and industry leaders to deliver the potential of wind for the benefit of Europe.

“As chair, I want to help ensure that the industry speaks with a strong and united voice and that we work together across the entire value chain to remove barriers to deployment and unlock investment at greater scale. By bringing the sector together around our shared priorities, we can strengthen Europe’s wind industry and increase its contribution to our future.”

Europe’s wind industry supports 480,000 jobs in Europe and provides home-grown renewable electricity to millions of households and businesses with wind energy generating around 20 % of the electricity consumed in Europe.

Europe is on track to install a record 24 GW of new wind capacity in 2026, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 20 million European households, a WindEurope analysis shows.

But maintaining this momentum will require action. More projects need to move from targets to construction. That requires stronger supply chains, faster electrification, expanded grids, workable permitting and auction frameworks, and predictable conditions for long-term investment.

Ms Van der Straeten said, “Rasmus takes over the WindEurope chairmanship at a pivotal moment for Europe’s energy security and competitiveness. The wind industry is on track for another record year of wind installations, but it won’t sustain itself. Now is a critical time to address grid bottlenecks, kick-start electrification and secure coordinated auction volumes to keep investing.

“Rasmus brings industry knowledge and, above all, a clear understanding of what it takes to get wind projects built in Europe. Together with vice-chairman Salvatore Bernabei, they will provide strong leadership for the wind industry, committed to continuing to deliver for Europe’s energy security and resilience. I look forward to working together with them."”

An Ørsted analysis shows that a renewables-based European energy system with wind at its core could reduce total European electricity system costs by up to 30 % by 2040.