Wind is accelerating. Can the permits keep up?
Europe installed 8.8 GW of new wind capacity in the first half of 2026, 30% more than in the same period last year. In its September outlook, WindEurope forecasts 24 GW for the full year.
That is encouraging progress for an electricity system looking to reduce its exposure to imported fossil fuels. It also puts attention on the work around each wind project: planning approval, grid access and the construction timetable.
WindEurope reports that permitting volumes fell in Spain, France, the UK, Italy and Ireland. The industry can build more turbines, but completed projects still depend on decisions across the rest of the system.
The 24 GW figure is a forecast. Whether that momentum continues depends partly on permitting and grid decisions made now.
For people following Europe's energy transition, the useful question is how many projects move through those steps and start supplying electricity. Installation figures show what has been delivered; the approval pipeline helps explain what may follow.
Source: https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/wind/europe-on-track-for-record-wind-year-20260904
Image: illustrative concept.