Europe is on track to record a record year for wind energy, according to the European wind energy association WindEurope. In the first half of 2026, 8.8 gigawatts of new capacity were installed, 30% above what was recorded in 2025, enough to supply approximately seven million households. By the end of the year, WindEurope expects 24 gigawatts of new wind capacity to be installed on the European continent, with 30 gigawatts forecast by the end of the decade. The nine billion euros invested in the sector during this period will translate into new capacity in the coming years.
Installations in the first half of the year were driven by Germany, which added 3.4 gigawatts of wind power, both offshore and onshore. However, Portugal also stood out, being among the ten countries on the continent that most expanded onshore wind capacity. The last three places in the top ten installers are held by Turkey, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Portugal added 199 megawatts and, by the end of the year, this figure is expected to rise to 250 megawatts.
Between 2026 and 2030, Portugal is expected to add another 2.1 gigawatts to its wind portfolio, the 12th largest increase planned among the 27 European Union countries. Portuguese territory falls short of neighboring Spain, which is set to increase capacity by 7.2 gigawatts, and is far behind Germany, where an additional 45 gigawatts are expected to be deployed in the next four years. Regarding offshore wind, only four countries added new capacity in the first half of the year, but Portugal, Spain and Turkey are advancing with regulatory frameworks that could unlock investments after 2030.
Despite the growth, WindEurope warns of structural problems that threaten the continuation of expansion. Permitting has declined in Spain, France, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The association argues that political choices regarding permitting, electricity grids and electrification will be decisive for the future of the sector. Among the recommendations are the approval of the Grid Package, the use of revenues from carbon permit trading through the Innovation Fund, and the creation of a binding target to achieve renewable energy goals.
