Europe he added 8.8 GW of new wind energy capacity during the first half of 2026 this represents a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth reinforces WindEurope’s forecasts, which estimate that the continent could end the year with approximately 24 GW of new installed capacity.
Germany led the growth with 3.4 GW added between January and June, the UK added 789 MW and Spain added 612 MW, according to market data from the association.
With these additions, the installed wind power capacity in Europe exceeded 311 GW at the end of June, most of which corresponds to onshore parks, with 270.5 GW, while offshore installations account for another 40.9 GW.
Onshore wind energy accounts for the new installations
Onshore wind farms contributed 6.5 GW of the 8.8 GW installed during the semester, marine wind it contributed the remaining 2.3 GW, maintaining its participation in the expansion of the sector.
Within the European group, the countries of the European Union concentrated 7.1 GW of new capacity, these results support WindEurope’s growth expectations for the second half of the year.
The association expects to reach around 24 GW of new installations in 2026 if the sector manages to maintain this momentum, annual additions could approach 30 GW during the 2030.
Investments and auctions support new wind farms
This growth is also reflected in the financing of future projects, during the first six months of the year, some 9 billion euros were raised for new projects. European wind farms the resources support approximately 5.2 GW of capacity whose construction is planned for the coming years.
This investment is in addition to government auctions, which awarded aid for 17.2 GW, of which 8.4 GW correspond to offshore wind projects.
The awards offer greater visibility into the sector’s development, but there is still a way to go before these parks begin producing electricity. Their commissioning will depend on the progress of administrative procedures and their connection to the grid.
Permits and networks threaten the pace of growth
Despite the improved figures, WindEurope warns that obstacles to sustained expansion remain, permit processing, electricity grid capacity, and waiting times for connection services continue to hinder the development of new wind farms.
The granting of permits has slowed in markets such as Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Ireland, this development may limit the availability of projects ready for construction in the coming years, even though current facilities maintain a favorable trend.
Spain shows this contrast, having added 612 MW during the semester, but registering a slowdown in the authorization of new projects.
Germany presents a different situation, which in addition to leading in facilities, authorized more than 9 GW of onshore wind power between January and June. This volume reinforces its role as the main driver of European growth and expands its project portfolio for the coming years.
Europe aims for 436 GW of wind power capacity by 2030
WindEurope forecasts that European wind power capacity will reach approximately 436 GW by 2030, of which approximately 342 GW would be within the European Union.
Reaching those figures will require more than just investment, Tinne Van der Straeten, CEO of WindEurope, noted that government decisions on permits, auctions, grids and electrification will be crucial to maintaining momentum.
The results of the first half of the year show that the rollout has gained speed, but the challenge now is to continue that progress, such as expanding networks, streamlining authorizations, and ensuring that funded and awarded projects reach the construction and, ultimately, operation phases.
Source: MPS Modern Power Systems
Photo: Shutterstock
