The Implementation Working Group (IWG) on Wind Energy has reached an important milestone with the completion of its new Thematic Vision, setting a common strategic direction for European wind energy research and innovation towards 2030, 2040 and 2050.
The publication marks the first major achievement of the renewed IWG Wind under the SET Plan and reflects several months of collaboration between the SET Plan country representatives, the European Commission, WindEurope and EERA. Following the kick-off meeting held in April, IWG members worked together to define a shared long-term vision that will guide future research and innovation priorities across Europe.
The SET Plan countries position wind energy as a cornerstone of Europe’s industrial competitiveness, energy security and climate neutrality. It identifies five strategic priority areas where coordinated research and innovation efforts will be essential:
- Industrialisation and competitiveness
- Operations, digitalisation and cybersecurity
- Wind energy system integration
- Sustainability and circularity
- Skills, societal engagement and coexistence
Together, these priorities aim to strengthen Europe’s technological leadership while boosting the deployment of wind energy needed to meet EU climate and energy objectives.
During its July meeting, the IWG also confirmed its new co-Chairs, representing Denmark and Italy, who will steer the group’s work as it moves towards the implementation and investment commitments needed to materialise this Thematic Vision.
To launch the next phase, the IWG now mandates the ETIPWind to update its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). The SRIA will translate the SET Plan countries objectives into specific research & innovation priorities and technology pathways. It will be the core reference for aligning national programmes, industry and research organisation efforts into a coordinated plan for delivering wind energy R&I priorities across Europe.
The publication of the Thematic Vision therefore represents an important step towards stronger alignment of wind energy R&I across Europe, ensuring that countries and stakeholders advance under a shared direction.
You can access the document here:
IWG Thematic Vision on wind energy
July 2026
Description: The Thematic Vision on wind energy sets the SET Plan countries common strategic direction for European wind energy research and innovation towards 2030, 2040 and 2050.