BRUSSELS, April 10 (Reuters) - European Union countries

are projected to install a record amount of renewable energy

capacity this year, European Commission projections showed,

although parts of the sector warned cuts to government support

could hamper this growth.

EU countries are expected to add 89 gigawatts of new

renewable energy capacity in 2025, including 70GW of solar and

19GW of wind, according to Commission projections shared with

Reuters. The projections are based on industry data.

That would be a record high for annual deployment of both

wind and solar. The EU installed 65.5GW of new solar in 2024 and

12.9GW of wind capacity.

A fast roll-out of renewable energy is needed for the EU to

meet its climate goals, and to displace some gas consumption to

help meet the bloc's aim to phase out Russian gas imports by

2027.

However, renewables firms are facing headwinds including

years-long delays to receive permits.

Industry association SolarPower Europe said it may revise

downwards its projections for 2025, after France outlined plans

in February to cut feed-in-tariff support for rooftop solar

panels.

"Some big markets have taken significant steps back since

the beginning of the year," the group's CEO Walburga

Hemetsberger said. "It is looking less and less likely we'll hit

70GW this year."

The growth of solar power installations in Europe slumped to

4% last year, having jumped by more than 50% the year before.

The EU needs to install roughly 70GW of new solar capacity each

year to meet its 2030 green goals.

Top wind power developer Orsted has warned the industry in

Europe is grappling with higher costs and supply chain

disruptions.

Industry group WindEurope said in February it expected the

EU to add 17.4GW of new wind capacity this year - a 35% increase

on last year's new installations.