In contrast with Trump's America, Europe's 100 gigawatt clean energy hub
5 days ago
- #renewable-energy
- #US-Europe-relations
- #energy-security
- President Donald Trump criticized wind energy, calling windmills 'losers' and nations buying them 'stupid people'.
- Nine European countries signed a deal to build a vast offshore wind power hub in the North Sea, aiming to increase energy security and reduce dependence on US oil and gas.
- Europe's offshore wind project is expected to produce 100 gigawatts of energy, powering around 50 million homes, and is framed as a way to build energy resilience.
- Europe currently imports nearly 60% of its energy, making it vulnerable to external pressures, as seen with Russia's use of gas as a weapon after invading Ukraine.
- The US has become Europe's main supplier of liquified natural gas (LNG), replacing Russian gas but exposing Europe to volatile prices.
- Trump's administration has shown willingness to use economic might against allies, increasing Europe's sense of vulnerability and pushing it toward renewable energy independence.
- Clean energy, particularly wind and solar, now generates 30% of the EU's electricity, overtaking fossil fuels for the first time.
- Europe's shift to renewables is driven not just by climate policy but also by cost and political considerations, changing the energy economics.
- Despite challenges like rising costs and faltering investment, Europe's offshore wind deal aims to reduce expenses through scale and international interconnection.
- Trump's fossil fuel policies are inadvertently accelerating Europe's clean energy movement, benefiting the renewables industry.