It has been two weeks since the annual European wind industry meeting in Copenhagen. Held from April 8 to 10 and organized by WindEurope, the event brought together over 16,000 participants and more than 550 companies from over 100 countries. It has solidified its role as a leading platform for political dialogue, industrial and academic cooperation, and the presentation of new strategies to accelerate Europe’s energy transition. This year, more than 1,000 students from European universities also took part in the conference.
Figure: Participants at the event
For the first time, the event featured a panel discussion on the potential for offshore wind energy development in the Black Sea. One of the panelists was Dr. Maria Trifonova from the Net-Zero Lab at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Sofia University.
Discussions during the event made it clear that the development of wind energy is no longer just about combating climate change – it has become a key factor for Europe’s industrial competitiveness, stable and affordable electricity prices, and energy security. Wind currently supplies 19% of Europe’s electricity, with countries like Denmark reaching a 56% share. In most European countries, wind is the cheapest new renewable electricity source. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), without the growth of wind and solar energy between 2021 and 2023, average wholesale electricity prices in the EU would have been 15% higher in 2023 – an increase that would have cost EU consumers around €100 billion.
As of 2024, the European wind industry supports approximately 370,000 jobs. This number is expected to rise to 600,000 by 2030, necessitating the hiring and training of more than 200,000 new professionals in the coming years. The development of local wind technology manufacturing also reduces import dependency and strengthens the EU’s strategic autonomy.
Source: WindEurope
The event also marked the release of three key documents:
• The Copenhagen Call to Action sets out three specific demands for European governments: (1) clear and predictable auctions with indexed contracts, (2) measures to strengthen European supply chains, including support for factories, skilled workers, and local components, and (3) an ambitious industrial policy that puts wind energy at the heart of efforts for a competitive, secure, and decarbonized Europe. The report emphasizes that without stable signals and predictability, the sector cannot invest sustainably in production capacity.
• The New Offshore Wind Deal for Europe presents a roadmap to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in the context of growing geopolitical uncertainty and the need for energy independence. The report calls for market design reforms, including long-term, low-risk contracts, enhanced cross-border coordination of grid infrastructure, faster permitting processes, and long-term planning commitments from member states. By 2030, Europe needs to install 20 GW of new offshore capacity annually – a pace we are currently far from reaching.
• The ETIPWind report – From Innovation to Industrial Competitiveness outlines the need to accelerate innovation deployment in real-world production. The document notes that Europe is falling behind in industrializing strategic technologies such as photovoltaics and electrolyzers and warns that the same could happen to wind energy without coordinated action. To maintain leadership, the EU must invest in automation, digital solutions, and large-scale demonstration projects that help transition from prototypes to industrial-scale production.
Offshore Wind Panel on the Black Sea
Romania is actively preparing for its first commercial offshore wind auctions in the Black Sea, expected in spring 2026. The European Commission will provide financial support for initial environmental assessments. Romania’s national roadmap for deploying 3 GW of offshore wind projects was published last year with the support of the World Bank.
Bulgaria has also included offshore wind in its strategic planning. The final version of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), published in January 2025, foresees 1.7 GW by 2035. The Ministry of Energy signed a trilateral agreement with Romania and Greece. Dr. Trifonova shared that although wind speeds in potential Bulgarian zones range between 7.2 and 8 m/s – lower than in the North Sea – they are comparable to areas like Jiangsu Province in China, where a significant portion of China’s offshore capacity has already been installed. This shows that with the right technology, Black Sea projects are fully feasible and competitive.
Most areas suitable for fixed-bottom foundations in Bulgaria lie within territorial waters and may be excluded with the expected legal changes. Nevertheless, modeling by the Net-Zero Lab shows that even floating offshore wind will be more cost-competitive than coal (with ETS allowances) or new nuclear energy.
All participants agreed that Ukraine should be supported in the future development of offshore wind after the war, given its high potential. Türkiye was also highlighted as a key regional manufacturer, with a growing focus on recyclability and carbon footprint tracking in production. Following recent political developments in the United States, many European wind project developers are redirecting their attention to emerging markets within Europe. The Black Sea region stands to benefit from this shift, provided that policymakers act proactively and strategically. For Bulgaria, a key step remains the implementation of an appropriate legislative framework, drawing on the experience already gained across the EU.
Media publications about the event: