Offshore wind leaders urge European policy fixes as Trump freezes US permits

Core Insights - Denmark's Orsted and Vestas are advocating for European nations to expedite permitting processes, enhance auction terms, and invest in power grids to unlock growth potential in the offshore wind sector [1][2] - The offshore wind industry is shifting focus to Europe due to a stagnant U.S. market under President Trump's administration, which has halted several offshore developments [6] Industry Growth Potential - Vestas anticipates global offshore wind capacity to increase by 20-25% annually until 2030, contingent on improved licensing and auction frameworks in Europe [2] - Orsted expresses optimism about the improving terms of auctions across various European markets, particularly regarding contracts for difference that stabilize power prices [5] Auction Challenges - Several European countries, including Denmark, Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands, have struggled to attract bidders for offshore wind permits due to insufficient subsidies and revenue guarantees [3][4] - Vestas' finance chief highlights the recurring mistakes made by European governments in auction designs that place full price risk on developers amid rising costs [4] Company Performance - Orsted reported a third-quarter net loss of 1.70 billion Danish crowns ($265 million), a significant decline from a profit of 5.17 billion crowns the previous year, primarily due to U.S. tariffs and project halts [6] - Vestas' shares rose approximately 13% following a new share buyback announcement and better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, driven by strong performance in its onshore business [7]