Wind Power Blows Strongest In Europe

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Europe deployed more wind power in 2009 than any other technology for electricity generation. The latest figures from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) show that 39% of new electricity capacity installed was wind, followed by gas (26%) and solar photovoltaics (16%). In total, renewable energy technologies accounted for 61% of new power generating capacity installed last year. This is the second year running that renewable power investments have been higher than more traditional power generation technologies.

Wind energy's share increased last year, up from 35% in 2008, but it may struggle in the global economic downturn to match that growth for 2010. Investment in new European wind farms reached 13 billion euros ($17.8 billion) in 2009, including 1.5 billion euros in offshore wind farms. Overall, 10,163 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity was installed across the European Union (EU), a 23% increase compared to 2008 installations. This was comprised of 9,581 MW onshore, an increase of 21% from 2008, and 582 MW offshore, up 56% from 2008.

"It is a remarkable result in a difficult year" said Christian Kjaer, chief executive officer of EWEA. "The figures, once again, confirm that wind power, together with other renewable energy technologies and a shift from coal to gas, are delivering massive European carbon reductions, while creating much needed economic activity and new jobs for Europe's citizens."

The countries commanding the largest share of new capacity in 2009 were Spain, with 24%, or 2,459 MW; Germany, with 19%, or 1,917 MW; Italy, with 11%, or 1,114 MW; France, with 11%, or 1,088 MW; and the United Kingdom, with 10%, or 1,077 MW. Wind capacity installed last year produced an average of 163 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, which is 4.8% of total E.U. power demand.

2010 is expected to be a more difficult year with regards to new investment, the EWEA warned.

Kjaer said: "I am quite optimistic about the medium-term outlook for wind power in Europe, but project finance is still tight, and it is clear that more orders must be announced in the coming months for the sector to repeat the 10 gigawatts (GW) installed this year."

In related news, the Global Wind Energy Council announced that wind installations were up globally in 2009.

"Globally, close to 35 GW of new wind capacity was installed in 2009, bringing the total installations up to almost 158 GW; this is a 31% increase from 2008," commented Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council. "In addition to the developments in Europe, the growth was mainly driven by China and the U.S."

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.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy related markets. For more than 26 years, Industrial Info has provided plant and project spending opportunity databases, market forecasts, high resolution maps, and daily industry news.