The Global Wind Energy Coalition for COP27 has called for greater policy ambition and volumes made available to scale up to 390GW of annual wind energy installations by 2030.
The coalition said it wants to see global recognition of the urgency to evolve policy frameworks and supply chain structures for the energy transition, and a “climate and energy emergency” approach to policymaking which can address climate, energy and security concerns.
It has also advocated for implementation of carbon pricing which clearly recognises the societal costs of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution and coalition-building between the renewables industry and climate finance community to improve the efficacy of international support schemes for the energy transition.
The coalition is also urging for a recognition of wind energy’s benefits and opportunities in the just transition, which range from large-scale job creation to revitalisation of local communities.
“Wind can transform energy systems around the world, and it can be done right now at a competitive cost,” said Ben Backwell, GWEC CEO.
“UN Secretary General António Guterres says time is running out to keep 1.5 degrees alive. The IEA says that to keep the world on target for net zero, the wind industry needs to be installing 390 GW a year by 2030. The situation is critical and the time for action is now.
“The situation in Ukraine has laid bare the dangers of the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. The wind industry can play a vital role in creating resilient, secure, and sustainable energy systems that deliver on net zero pledges. Political decisions need to reflect the central role of wind power in the energy transition.
Ben Blackwell
Turbines Installed in 2021
In a new report, GWEC found that 30 turbine makers installed 104.7GW of new wind power capacity last year despite continuing disruptions caused by the pandemic and increasing pressure from commodity price increases and logistical problems.
GWEC’s data showed that 29,234 wind turbines were installed worldwide by 30 wind turbine manufacturers in 2021, 18 of which are based in Asia Pacific, with nine from Europe.
Vestas enjoyed a record year to remain the number one turbine supplier, making 17.7% of the new installations.
Chinese company Goldwind followed in second with 11.8%, holding its position from 2020, while Siemens Gamesa also had a record year with a 9.7% global market share, moving it up two positions to third place in 2021.
Another Chinese company, Envision, is fourth with 8.65% of 2021’s market. GE Renewable Energy rounds out the top five with 8.55% of the market.
Vestas and Siemens Gamesa both enjoyed record years, with both companies leading the way in geographic diversification, with 37 and 32 countries delivered to, respectively.
According to GWEC, leaders must fast-track and streamline approvals of wind projects, modernise grids, set Paris-aligned renewable energy targets that provide certainty to investors and developers and ensure a healthy and sustainable renewables supply chain is in place.
The Global Wind Energy Coalition for COP27, an initiative led by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), is a multi-stakeholder group of leading wind power companies and associations from across the globe committed to ramping up wind power capacity to limit the impacts of climate change.
Members include Vestas, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, GE Renewable Energy, Iberdrola, Ørsted, Mainstream Renewable Power, DNV, SSE Renewables, Corio Generation, Gazelle Wind Power and Lekela Power Egypt.
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