ABSTRACT
The decarbonization urged by the 2015 Paris Agreement could start by changing the primary energy mix to produce electricity. In this chapter, we explore the impact of a complete substitution of fossil-electricity by wind-electricity in the EU during the period 2015–2050. Using broad multipliers, we look at its impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and employment all over the world. We wonder whether the wind-bet is a win-win strategy, in the sense that it can both slow down emissions and speed up employment. The answer depends on the scenarios under consideration related to the rate of economic growth and to the rhythm of decarbonization in the rest of the world. For the scenario we consider the most probable, the answer is negative. Our proposal requires a massive investment in wind-farms that is bound to raise C02 emissions to dangerous levels before they go down, and society can enjoy the benefits of cleaner electricity. This conclusion does not discredit the strategy of decarbonizing electricity generation. It only warns about the need to reinforce it with additional measures.
