A study by Trinomics, in collaboration with DTU Wind, indicates that targeted EU funding for wind innovation and industrial scaling can deliver significant economic benefits for Europe. The analysis finds that by 2040, each €1 of public funding for wind could generate around €7 in annual economic returns. It also identifies wider impacts on industrial competitiveness and energy security.
The study proposes a dedicated Fund for Wind Research and Competitiveness, with total support of €11.6 billion across the European wind value chain. Around €9 billion would be directed towards expanding manufacturing capacity to strengthen the European supply chain and support energy independence.
According to the assessment, allocating this funding could by 2040 add €33 billion per year in gross value added, support around 180,000 additional jobs and increase EU wind equipment exports by €12.6 billion annually. It also estimates that up to 89% of value could remain within Europe under a targeted funding approach, compared with 47% without such measures.
The study notes that current EU support for wind is limited and fragmented across multiple programmes, with long approval timelines in schemes such as Horizon Europe and the Innovation Fund.
