GWEC Wind and Energy Security Tracker

Keep updated with energy security issues impacting the wind industry across the globe.

Around the world, the current polycrisis of geopolitical conflicts, energy security, climate change, and economic uncertainty is impacting households, communities and industries. Wind energy is central to solving these challenges and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. In a volatile global environment, accelerating the deployment of clean, limitless, domestic and secure energy sources like wind is the only solution for countries to achieve energy security, affordability and resilience.

GWEC's Wind and Energy Security Tracker is a resource to monitor international events impacting the energy security across the world, and share solutions that will support the rapid deployment of wind energy.

Global Wind Industry Statement on Green Recovery

In May 2020, the global wind industry, representing 98% of the total global wind power installed capacity, published a statement highlighting how wind power can support a green recovery, and outlining key policy recommendations to maximise the socioeconomic benefits of wind power across the world.

Wind power is a key building block for economic recovery trom the impact of COVID-19, which will enable governments to renew critical infrastructure for a sustainable future. The wind industry will help to deliver the jobs, clean and affordable power and energy security needed for a sustainable economic recovery.

Download the statement in 9 different languages!

Policy Recommendations

A robust policy framework is key to accelerating wind power growth at the necessary levels to meet Paris-compliant decarbonisation scenarios. Policy is also critical to realising the environmental and socioeconomic benefits of wind power, including job creation, local investment, development of critical infrastructure, public health savings, energy security and much more.

Discover our policy recommendations below.

Policy Recommendations

Introduce meaningful carbon pricing on an international basis and promote a level playing field across energy sources to allow the accelerated deployment of renewables and electrification of sectors such as transport, heating and cooling and industry.
Ensure that adequate investment flows towards critical infrastructure, including power systems and grid infrastructure, at a low cost of finance and with adherence to sustainability standards.
Provide strong support for innovation and R&D programs in order to allow the accelerated deployment of the next generation of wind turbine platforms.
Introduce clear criteria that investment schemes for public and private bodies are built upon the principle of “No Harm” for society and the environment.
Implement evidence-based decision-making for government-backed investment, guided by metrics such as impact on GDP, envrionmental impact, resource depletion, social value and system resilience.
Safeguard institutional and multilateral lending and relief funds by instituting reporting requirements for sustainability and climate-related disclosures, in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.
Move swiftly to scale-up green financing for emerging markets and developing economies, which are facing accelerated capital flight and growing debt that hinders their clean energy transition.

Three of New York City’s five public employee pension funds voted to divest $4 billion from securities related to fossil-fuel companies.

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-25/three-nyc-pension-funds-to-divest-4-billion-from-fossil-fuels

A SwissRe study in 2021 found that if no action were taken to mitigate climate change, global temperatures could rise by more than 3°C and the world economy could shrink by 18% in the next 30 years. But if Paris targets were met to keep warming to below 2°C, global GDP would grow by 4% by 2050.

Source: https://www.swissre.com/media/news-releases/nr-20210422-economics-of-climate-change-risks.html

There are currently 64 carbon pricing initiatives, covering 46 national jurisdictions and around 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions globally. In November 2020, Vietnam became the latest country to mandate a domestic emissions trading scheme.

Source: https://carbonpricingdashboard.worldbank.org/map_data; https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/news-archive/730-new-law-in-vietnam-creates-mandate-for-ets

The European Commission’s EUR560 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility for financial support in green and digital transformations across Member States, with priority to rolling out wind and renewable energy projects and a “massive renovation wave” of buildings and infrastructure in line with a circular economy.

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_940

The latest Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) status report, dated October 2020, highlights the need for greater transparency and climate-related disclosures. The report also shows that energy companies are leading on disclosure, with an average level of TCFD-aligned disclosures of 40% for energy companies in 2019.

Source: https://assets.bbhub.io/company/sites/60/2020/10/TCFD-2020-Status-Report-Press-Release_FINAL.pdf

In light of the financial resources required to combat COVID-19, the IMF approved a six-month tranche of debt service relief for 25 member countries in April 2020, followed by a second six-month tranche of relief in October 2020. The World Bank Group and IMF have urged G20 countries to establish a Debt Service Suspension Initiative.

Source: https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/10/02/pr20304-imf-executive-board-extends-immediate-debt-service-relief-28-eligible-lics-six-months; https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/debt/brief/covid-19-debt-service-suspension-initiative

In November 2020, the NSW Government in Australia announced it would allocate $32 billion to invest in renewable energy infrastructure over the next decade, which will deliver around 12 GW of new transmission capacity, 3 GW of new renewable energy capacity, generate 9,100 jobs, as well as help save households an average of $130 on their electricity bills each year.

Source: https://energy.nsw.gov.au/government-and-regulation/electricity-infrastructure-roadmap

The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is pushing for a green economic recovery plan, which should consider renewable energy as one of the main components of the government economic stimulus package post-COVID-19.

Source: https://sawea.org.za/green-recovery-wind-powers-role-in-sas-economic-recovery-post-covid-19-pandemic/

The Canadian government’s Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) provides bridge financing to companies with revenues in excess of $300 million a year, with recipient companies required to commit to publishing annual climate-related disclosure reports consistent with the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, including how their future operations will support environmental sustainability and national climate goals.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/05/government-announces-support-program-for-large-employers-is-open-for-applications.html

Colombian President Ivan Duque announces a new roadmap for his country’s economic recovery with the transition to renewable energy as a key pillar.

Source: https://idm.presidencia.gov.co/prensa/Paginas/Con-el-nuevo-Compromiso-por-el-Futuro-de-Colombia-el-pais-esta-haciendo-las-grandes-apuestas-Duque-200820.aspx; https://www.iisd.org/sustainable-recovery/news/sustainable-recovery-in-colombia-president-underlines-ambitions/

“Investment in offshore wind expected to show strong growth” – IEA: World Energy Investment, 2021

“$465 Million to Expand Energy Access and Renewable Energy Integration in West Africa” World Bank Group, 2021

“Delivering on the $100 billion climate finance commitment and transforming climate finance.” Independent Expert Group on Climate Finance UNFCCC. December 2020

“Consultation Document.” Taskforce on Voluntary Carbon Markets. November 2020

“COVID-19 Recovery Package Analyses.” Global Renewables Congress. 2021.

“Aligning Stimulus with Energy Transformation.” Wärtsilä. October 2020.

“Will COVID-19 fiscal recovery packages accelerate or retard progress on climate change?” Hepburn, C., O’Callaghan, B., Stern, N., Stiglitz, J., and Zenghelis, D. (2020), Smith School Working Paper 20-02.

“Beyond Crisis: Renewable Energy for a Low-carbon Future.” IRENA. 2020.

“Report: Green recovery plans boost income, employment and GDP.” We Mean Business Coalition. October 2020.

“Making the green recovery work for jobs, income and growth.” OECD. October 2020.

“Disclosure and Transparency During COVID-19 – Increasing Resilience and Building Trust During and After the Pandemic.” IFC. 2020.

“Green Finance Strategies for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery in Southeast Asia: Greening Recoveries for Planet and People”. Asian Development Bank. October 2020.

“Greening the Recovery“. IMF. 2020.

“A Toolbox for Sustainable Crisis Response Measures for Central Banks and Supervisors“. Grantham Research Insititue on Climate Change and the Environment, The Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS, and INSPIRE. June 2020.

“Planning a Sustainable Post-Pandemic Recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean“. Cardenas, M., Ayala, J.J.G. UNDP. September 2020.

Policy Recommendations

Implement regulation that is fit for purpose, including market design that provides long-term visibility and streamlined permitting that enables rapid ramp up of deployment.
Safeguard existing and awarded wind projects, avoid retroactive changes to approved remuneration schemes, and secure continuation of planned clean energy auctions.
Create adequate frameworks to allow extensive and efficient repowering of older wind power plants.
Enable and promote end-consumer 100% renewable energy demand in order to allow corporates to ramp up and meet their sustainability objectives. Remove regulatory barriers where these exist in order to enable corporates to freely purchase renewable energy.
Dis-incentivise investment in polluting, expensive and aging fossil fuel assets by introducing pricing mechanisms which reflect the true economic, social, environmental and health costs of fossil fuel generation and completely phase-out fossil fuel subsidies.
Increase ambitions to decarbonise all economic sectors through electrification.
Reject proposals to dilute or recall legislation for environmental protection.

In March 2020, India issued “Must Run” status for wind farms to ensure that wind projects can continue to run as an essential service, and granted a time extension for the scheduled commissioning dates of wind projects, in light of pandemic-related delays.

Source: https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1585207142578.pdf; https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1585207142578.pdf

Members of the wind industry are calling for repowering regulations to be streamlined across Europe, allowing older wind farms to be refitted with a reduced number of modern and more efficient turbines. This would extend project lifetimes so that clean energy growth can continue, and progress towards renewable energy capacity targets can be sustained.

Source: https://windeurope.org/newsroom/press-releases/what-happens-when-wind-turbines-get-old-new-industry-guidance-document-for-dismantling-and-decommissioning/; https://www.rechargenews.com/wind/distance-rules-a-big-downside-to-repowering-potential-rwe-renewables-dotzenrath/2-1-922226

Nigeria ended subsidies on gasoline in 2020, saving the government as much as US$2.6 billion per year.

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-10/nigeria-sees-savings-of-2-6-billion-a-year-with-subsidies-gone

In 2020, governments in China, Japan, South Korea, Hungary and South Africa made pledges to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 or 2060. Commitments to reach net zero emissions from regional governments and businesses have doubled in 2020, compared to 2019. These commitments will require comprehensive policy frameworks which emphasise sustainable growth and science-based approaches for successful implementation.

Source: https://unfccc.int/news/commitments-to-net-zero-double-in-less-than-a-year

In November 2020, the UK set out its “Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution” which advances offshore wind, accelerates the shift to zero emission electric transport and supports electrified heating to decarbonise buildings.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-ten-point-plan-for-a-green-industrial-revolution/title

In April 2020, China announced that it would extend current subsidies for electric vehicles until the end of 2022 as well as strengthen policy frameworks around the electrification of transport to increase uptake and demand for electric vehicles.

Source: http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-04/23/content_5505502.htm

The state-owned NTPC in India announced in September 2020 that it will no longer acquire land for greenfield coal-fuelled power projects as part of its pivot to renewable energy.

Source: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/ntpc-stops-land-acquisition-for-greenfield-coal-based-power-projects/78343346

The Japanese government has allocated one billion JPY for building a decarbonised regional system for delivery goods (logistics), increasing the local demand for electricity produced by renewable energy.

Source: http://www.env.go.jp/earth/earth/ondanka/energy-taisakutokubetsu-kaikeir02/matr02-01-04f2.pdf

India’s power ministry extended the waiver of inter-state transmission systems (ISTS) charges and losses on supply of power generated from wind and solar until 30 June 2023.

Source: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/govt-grants-ists-waiver-extension-for-solar-wind-projects-until-june-2023/77390466

“Biggest leasing round to date.” ScotWind 1 leasing round results. Offshore Wind Scotland. January 2022.

‘More digital services and stronger safety nets.’ IEA Korean New Deal – Digital New Deal, Green New Deal and Stronger Safety Net. July 2021.

“Circular economy for the wind sector (CEWS)” ORE Catapult, 2021

“Global update: Pandemic recovery with just a hint of green.” Climate Action Tracker. September 2020.

“Greenness of Stimulus Index.” Vivid Economics. 2020

“Global Renewables Outlook: Energy transformation 2050.” IRENA. April 2020.

“Global Wind Report 2019.” Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). March 2020.

“Beijing Declaration on Wind Energy”. October 2020.

“Power of Our Ocean”. Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition. December 2020.

Policy Recommendations

Capitalise on the enormous potential for the wind energy industry to create direct and indirect jobs by prioritising renewable energy for investment.
Re-skill workers who may be dislocated from sectors with a declining business case for employment in a growing sector like offshore wind.
Commit to a just and inclusive energy transition by ensuring that recovery plans focus on equitable distribution of resources, training and skills development across genders, minority groups and marginalised communities.
Maintain health and safety as a core pillar of wind energy and workforce planning.

‘Harness the full potential of the social and economic co-benefits of renewables and to build the skills base needed for the energy transition’ – COBENEFITS project in collaboration with the Sustainable Energy Jobs Working Group under IRENA’s Coalition for Action 2021

“Achieving a future that is sustainable and inclusive and growing is so compelling an idea that today’s leaders owe it to future generations to act immediately” – Our Future Lives and Livelihoods: Sustainable and Inclusive and Growing. McKinsey. 2021

“Changes in the energy sector must support social and economic development and improve quality of life” – People Centred Transitions, IEA, 2021

Encourage ‘meaningful and equal participation of women in climate action’ – Glasgow Climate Pact, UNFCCC, 2021

South Korea’s Green New Deal, introduced in 2020, commits around US$61 billion to boost wind and renewable energy capacity and expand the green mobility sector by 2025.

Source: https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/making-the-green-recovery-work-for-jobs-income-and-growth-a505f3e7/

In December 2020, the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and RenewableUK launched a new training programme to fast-track the transition of skilled workers from the offshore oil and gas sector to the offshore wind sector.

Source: https://www.offshorewind.biz/2020/12/03/gwo-renewableuk-team-up-to-fast-track-oil-gas-workers-switch-to-offshore-wind/

A 2021 study from UC Berkeley and Tsinghua University found that a faster transition to wind and renewable energy in China would result in multiplier effects, including expenditure shifting, job creation and higher economic efficiency, which could add as much as 7.5% to national GDP and 5.9% to total jobs in China by 2030 compared to business-as-usual.

Source: https://www.enerarxiv.org/page/thesis.html?id=2993; http://chinadialogue.net/en/energy/china-can-benefit-from-a-more-ambitious-2030-solar-and-wind-target/

In June 2020, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development launched a just transition initiative to share the benefits of a green economy transition and protect vulnerable countries, regions and people from falling behind.

Source: https://www.ebrd.com/what-we-do/just-transition-initiative

The “Green Collar” portal is a new initiative set up in October 2020 that lists jobs in the environmental sector in South East Asia, from renewable energy to sustainable agriculture, to highlight opportunities for meaningful ‘green’ employment as countries try to revive economies hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: https://greencollar.careers/

The Queensland government in Australia announced a $17 million grant as part of COVID-19 stimulus packages to establish a new “state-of-the-art” renewable energy training facility in Brisbane to provide training for 750 apprentices a year and create new green jobs.

Source: https://reneweconomy.com.au/queensland-adds-23m-renewables-training-centre-to-covid-19-stimulus-61928/

Accelerating renewables could bring 3 million jobs to Latin America as region battles COVID-19. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) will boost ties to put the renewables driven energy transformation at the heart of Latin America and the Caribbean’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Source: https://www.irena.org/newsroom/pressreleases/2020/Jul/OLADE-and-IRENA-Put-Renewables-at-Heart-of-Post-Pandemic-Economic-Recovery