Innovative manufacturing of wind energy technologies

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the advancement of innovative manufacturing solutions for wind energy technologies, including onshore, offshore, and airborne systems. It aims to improve health and safety for workers, reduce energy and material use, increase the circularity of resources, and lower overall costs. Projects should also focus on reducing pollution, enhancing system reliability and lifespan, and minimizing environmental, cultural, and landscape impacts. The opportunity is targeted at boosting the competitiveness and deployment of wind energy in Europe, in line with the Net Zero Industry Act. Eligible projects are expected to contribute to the strategic autonomy and industrial leadership of Europe in wind energy technologies.

• Develop and demonstrate automated or semi-automated manufacturing methods for key wind energy system components (e.g. blades, nacelles, towers, generators, foundations, or airborne systems).
• Achieve high-quality, high-throughput production with optimized logistics and minimized environmental, cultural, and social impacts.
• Plan a clear go/no-go decision milestone before entering demonstration, backed by detailed engineering plans, techno‑economic assessment, and permit readiness.
• Demonstrate sustainability of proposed solutions in both environmental and socio-economic terms.
• Analyse standardisation potential and engage with ongoing standards initiatives.

Examples:

• A project developing a new automated process to manufacture wind turbine blades with less material waste.
• A research initiative to design safer work environments for offshore wind farm assembly teams.
• An innovation to optimize the transport and installation logistics of large wind turbine components to minimize environmental impact.

• Personnel costs for researchers, engineers, and technical staff
• Costs for equipment and materials directly related to project activities
• Subcontracting for specialized services or expertise
• Travel and subsistence costs for project meetings and fieldwork
• Costs for testing, prototyping, and demonstration activities
• Expenses for dissemination, communication, and stakeholder engagement
• Costs related to data management and open access publication
• Project management and coordination expenses
• Indirect costs covered within the lump sum

All eligible expenses must fit within the lump sum structure set by the Horizon Europe Programme. Detailed restrictions and requirements are provided in the official application documents.

• Budget for this Call: 28.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 4
• Budget per project: 7.000.000€

• Must involve at least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries), with at least one partner from an EU Member State.
• All participants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity in line with Horizon Europe Annex B and C.
• Project proposals must align with the topic by developing and demonstrating innovative wind-energy manufacturing technologies that improve safety and working conditions across the value chain, reduce energy and material consumption, boost circularity, and lower costs and pollution.
• The project must include a defined go/no-go milestone before entering a demonstration phase, with deliverables including detailed engineering plans, a techno-economic assessment, and all necessary regulatory permits.
• Demonstrations must be carried out at realistic, representative scale and last at least six months.
• Projects must include an exploitation and dissemination strategy covering scalability, commercialisation, deployment pathways, and potential funding sources like the Innovation Fund.
• Environmental and socio-economic sustainability assessments are required. If improving supply chains to enhance health and safety conditions, proposals must specifically address gender dimensions.
• Standard Horizon Europe ethics, integrity, exclusion and compliance rules apply.