WindEurope forecasts 24 GW of new installations in 2026, representing a 30% increase over the 2025 figure of 8.8 GW. However, delays in permitting have raised doubts about the feasibility of this record. In the first six months, 9 billion euros were collected for new projects, sufficient to finance 5.2 GW of installed capacity over the coming years.

Yet, an indicator suggests caution. The data shows a 12% decline compared to the 12 GW ordered in the first half of 2025. WindEurope considers 2026 the beginning of an acceleration phase that should stabilize annual installations at around 30 GW throughout the 2030s.

Between 2026 and 2030, new installations should bring total capacity to 436 GW in Europe, with 342 GW in the European Union. By 2030, wind power could meet approximately 27% of the EU's electricity demand. The main obstacle remains permitting.

The company has stated that delays in licenses can halt projects planned. The five European countries that awarded incentives in the first half have already put over 24 GW on the table for the second half of the year. If these programs are respected, 2026 will register the highest volume of new wind capacity ever put up for auction in Europe.

The 30% increase over 2025 is positive, but the 12% decline compared to 2025 suggests that demand for resources is not yet fully met. The chronology shows an initial growth rate that may stabilize only after overcoming this inflection point. Investments in wind energy represent a fundamental pillar for the European energy transition, but bureaucratic complexity risks compromising the goal of a historic record.

The demand for clarity on authorization procedures is essential to prevent potential from being realized.