Strategic Agreement Between EIB and Crédit Agricole CIB Expands Access to Wind Sector Financing to Accelerate EU Renewable Targets

Strategic Agreement Between EIB and Crédit Agricole CIB Expands Access to Wind Sector Financing to Accelerate EU Renewable Targets

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank and Crédit Agricole CIB have signed a major risk-sharing agreement to boost wind energy investment across the European Union. The EIB will provide a €500 million counter-guarantee that will enable Crédit Agricole CIB to build up to €1 billion in guarantees for clients, helping mobilise an estimated €8 billion in new wind sector investment. The operation is part of the EIB’s €6.5 billion initiative supporting the European Wind Power Package, aimed at adding 32 GW of wind capacity toward the EU’s goal of generating at least 45% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Backed by the InvestEU programme, the partnership is intended to strengthen industrial competitiveness and support decarbonisation. Executives from both the EIB and Crédit Agricole CIB said the collaboration will accelerate the transition to clean energy while improving Europe’s energy security, expanding financing tools, and driving growth across the wind energy value chain.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 2-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Crédit Agricole CIB have entered into a new strategic partnership designed to accelerate the growth of Europe’s wind energy sector and reinforce the EU’s transition to clean, renewable power. The agreement reflects both institutions’ long-term commitment to supporting high-impact green infrastructure and strengthening Europe’s energy resilience.

At the core of the initiative, the EIB will extend a €500 million counter-guarantee to Crédit Agricole CIB. This will allow the bank to assemble a portfolio of up to €1 billion in guarantees for its clients, directly supporting new wind farm developments throughout the European Union. Through this leveraged risk-sharing structure, the partnership is expected to mobilise as much as €8 billion in real-economy investment, creating a significant multiplier effect for the industry.

This collaboration forms part of the EIB’s broader €6.5 billion package dedicated to the European Wind Power Package unveiled by the European Commission in 2023. The overarching aim is to help deliver 32 GW of additional wind capacity, contributing to the EU’s goal of sourcing at least 45% of its total energy from renewables by 2030—which requires 117 GW of new wind generation capacity. The scheme is backed by InvestEU, the European Union’s programme for innovation, sustainable growth, and strategic investment.

“The shift to renewable energy, including wind, is essential if Europe is to secure clean, domestically produced power,” said Ambroise Fayolle, EIB Vice-President. “As the climate bank of the European Union, the EIB is committing €6.5 billion to wind energy. By joining forces with Crédit Agricole CIB through this risk-sharing agreement, we will help accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality while supporting Europe’s industrial competitiveness and strategic independence.”

Jean-François Balaÿ, Chief Executive Officer of Crédit Agricole CIB, noted the importance of the partnership for expanding the bank’s role in the energy transition. “This framework agreement represents a strategic step for Crédit Agricole CIB,” he said. “Working with the EIB enhances our capacity to support transformational wind energy projects and strengthens our offer of innovative financial solutions that help European clients advance their climate ambitions. This collaboration deepens our commitment to responsible growth across Europe.”

Beyond supporting new installations, the agreement is designed to stimulate private capital, strengthen the wind energy value chain, and build momentum across all parts of the sector — from manufacturing and supply logistics to grid reinforcement. By unlocking new forms of financing, the initiative aims to provide developers and operators with tools to scale up renewable energy deployment and accelerate Europe’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient power system.

Background information

EIB

The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives, by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of annual EIB Group financing supports projects that directly contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment.

[1] €5 billion was allocated under the initial Wind Power Package approved in December 2023. This amount was increased to €6.5 billion in 2025.

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank