The world’s largest wind power industry players lined up to call for “dramatic action” to accelerate global deployment in a plea to governments ahead of the COP27 climate summit.
More than 100 companies active in the sector signed up to the Global Wind Energy Manifesto for COP27, which calls for urgent measures to streamline planning and permitting, upgrade grids and make renewables-friendly reforms to power markets.
The latest UN climate summit will take place in Egypt in November, which signatories to the manifesto said “will help determine whether the world can leverage wind and renewable energy to get on track for net zero and secure a livable, just and equitable energy transition”.
The wind industry call to action comes as global agendas around climate action and energy security coincide following the crisis sparked by the invasion of Ukraine and dash to exit reliance on Russian oil & gas by European nations.
Morten Dyrholm, group senior vice president at global wind giant Vestas, said: “In the midst of a global energy shock, and with just seven years left to limit global emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, it’s time we realised that energy security and climate security are not in conflict.
“Renewable projects are waiting in the wings across the world, it’s time to move projects into construction, and to get grid networks built. In a shifting society, resilience is key, and renewables are the way to unlock it.”
Vestas joined the likes of fellow OEM giant Siemens Gamesa and developers Orsted, Iberdrola and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in signing up to the manifesto, which was coordinated by industry body the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
Joyce Lee, chair of the Global Wind Energy Coalition for COP27, said: “Scaling up wind energy is a win-win for people and the planet, delivering lower energy prices, stimulating investment, economic growth and job creation, while helping countries meet their climate targets and supporting secure energy.
“The tools, technology and know-how are on our side. But policymakers must act now to deliver the secure and clean energy system the world sorely needs. That means urgent action to accelerate renewables, from speeding up permitting of projects to governments providing clear and ambitious timelines on buildout.”
