June 3, 2026

New Horizon Europe call on innovative wind energy technologies and solutions

The European Commission has published a new Horizon Europe funding opportunity under the BATTERIES and ENERGY call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-09).

The topic, “Innovative technologies and solutions to improve wind energy systems supporting the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan on wind”, opened on 05 May 2026. Applicants can submit their proposals until 15 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.

The topic is expected to fund one project under the Innovation Actions scheme, focused on improving wind energy systems and supporting the priorities of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan on wind.

The call aims to strengthen European wind energy research and innovation, reduce fragmentation between actors, improve the performance, reliability, sustainability and flexibility of wind energy technologies, and increase the contribution of wind energy to the European energy system while minimising impacts on health and the environment.

A central part of the topic is the demonstration challenge. It aims to accelerate the uptake of wind energy innovation by industry and support solutions up to TRL 7–8.

The demonstration activities can receive up to EUR 50 million in EU funding. The selected project should implement at least three demonstration activities, each with a clearly different focus. Project partners should demonstrate the proposed solutions continuously for at least six months.

The call highlights several priority areas for demonstration. These include industrialisation and scale-up, operation and maintenance, wind energy system integration, sustainability and circularity, floating offshore wind, and research and technology infrastructures for wind energy.