European Offshore Wind Doubled in 2010

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The European offshore windfarm market turned in a record year in 2010, as the number of offshore wind turbine installations more than doubled from 2009.

In all, 308 new offshore wind turbines, requiring an investment of more than 2.6 billion euros ($3.56 billion), were installed last year across nine windfarms in five European countries. This is 51% more than was installed in 2009 and represents a combined generating capacity of 883 megawatts (MW).

The news comes in the same week that France finally kick-started its own national drive for wind energy. The country's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, last week launched a 10 billion euro ($13.7 billion) wind energy strategy by announcing tenders for the first five of 10 planned offshore windfarms. France eventually aims to have 25 gigawatts (GW) of wind-generated power, with 6 GW of that coming from offshore wind by 2020. For related news, see January 27, 2010, article - France Begins Windfarm Race by Announcing Tenders for Five Offshore Facilities.

According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) (Brussels, Belgium) in its report titled "European Offshore Wind Industry - Key Trends and Statistics 2010," offshore wind is now supplying enough electricity for 2.9 million households. The current installed base of 1,136 offshore wind turbines can produce 11.5 terawatt-hours of electricity in a 'normal' wind year.

"With over 50% market growth, 2010 sets a new record for European offshore wind energy," said EWEA Chief Executive Christian Kjaer. "Meanwhile, the 29 new offshore turbine models announced during 2010 show a growing commitment to the offshore wind energy sector by large, global industrial players, offering a real boost for Europe's economy, its efforts to tackle climate change, create green jobs and exports while reducing our dependence on imported fuel."

The U.K. leads Europe and the world in the offshore race, with a total installed offshore wind capacity of 1,341 MW, followed by Denmark (854 MW), The Netherlands (249 MW), Belgium (195 MW), Sweden (164 MW), Germany (92 MW), Ireland (25 MW), Finland (26 MW) and Norway (2.3 MW).

For 2011, the EWEA forecasts strong growth of between 1,000 and 1,500 MW of new offshore wind power capacity. There are 10 European windfarms currently being built with a combined capacity of 3 GW.

Finance will remain the key issue in 2011, despite 2010 showing an improved financing situation, thanks in part to institutions like the European Investment Bank (EIB), utilities and pension funds backing the sector.

Kjaer said: "Finance remains a big challenge, but we are seeing improvements with more banks and other financing institutions ready to invest in large offshore wind projects."

Last June, Dong Energy A/S (Fredericia, Denmark) secured a loan of £250 million ($370 million) from the EIB for the construction of the 1,000-MW London Array windfarm, located in the Thames Estuary off the Essex coast in England. It will be the world's largest offshore windfarm when completed. For additional information, see June 15, 2010, article - Dong Energy Secures Funding for World's Largest Windfarm. In that same month, Dong commissioned the 172-MW Gunfleet Sands offshore windfarm, also in the Thames Estuary. For additional information, see June 5, 2010, article - Dong Commissions 172-Megawatt Gunfleet Sands Windfarm.

IIR's Renewable Energy Database provides extensive coverage on the wind energy, geothermal, hydroelectric, landfill gas-to-energy and utility-scale solar power plants throughout North America, and is now expanding coverage across the world.

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