Finance
Europe commits to wind energy expansion despite Trump criticism, draft shows
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Summary
European nations plan to expand wind energy despite Trump's criticism, aiming for 300 GW capacity by 2050, with challenges in financing.
European Nations Boost Wind Power Initiatives Despite Trump Criticism
European Commitment to Wind Energy Expansion
By Kate Abnett
BRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - European governments including Germany, Britain and Denmark will reinforce their plans to massively expand wind power projects on Monday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump stepping up criticism of their green energy agenda, a draft declaration due to be signed by government leaders showed.
Trump has been openly critical of European countries' efforts to shift to low-carbon energy. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, he described wind turbines as "losers" and said, without providing evidence, that the more wind turbines a country has, the more money that country loses.
Joint Declaration and Goals
At a summit in Hamburg, Germany, on Monday, nine European governments will commit to accelerate the expansion of offshore wind power through large-scale, cross-border projects, to hit their overall target for 300 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2050, according to a draft summit declaration, seen by Reuters.
Britain and the participating EU countries will pledge to meet up to 100 GW of this goal via joint cross-border projects, said the declaration, which would also be signed by Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway.
Challenges in Wind Energy Financing
Expanding offshore renewable energy "will contribute to promoting a stable, secure and affordable energy supply, drive local value creation, strengthen our industries and competitiveness, increase our strategic autonomy and generate jobs," the draft said.
Factors including higher costs of capital and components have led to failed wind farm auctions in several North Sea countries.
The joint declaration said the governments would also step up their efforts to increase financing for wind projects, potentially including through guarantees from the EU budget, and subsidy frameworks like "contracts for difference" which ensure a power plant receives a steady revenue stream when it is up and running.
Wind and solar power produced more electricity than fossil fuels in the EU for the first time last year, indicating the bloc's continued shift towards low-carbon energy despite resistance from some governments.
(Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Key Takeaways
- •European countries commit to expanding wind energy.
- •Trump criticizes Europe's green energy efforts.
- •Nine governments aim for 300 GW offshore wind by 2050.
- •Challenges include financing and higher capital costs.
- •Wind and solar surpass fossil fuels in EU electricity production.
Frequently Asked Questions about Europe commits to wind energy expansion despite Trump criticism, draft shows
1What is wind energy?
Wind energy is the process of converting wind into electricity using wind turbines. It is a renewable energy source that helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
2What are offshore wind farms?
Offshore wind farms are wind energy installations located in bodies of water, typically on the continental shelf, where wind speeds are higher and more consistent.
3What is a joint declaration?
A joint declaration is a formal statement agreed upon by multiple parties, often outlining shared goals or commitments, such as in international agreements.
4What are renewable energy projects?
Renewable energy projects are initiatives aimed at generating energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, which are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
5What is energy capacity?
Energy capacity refers to the maximum amount of energy that a power plant or energy system can produce or supply, often measured in megawatts (MW) or gigawatts (GW).
