Feb 4 2010
According to the data published by European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), wind power accounts for 39% of new installed capacity in the EU during the year 2009. When compared to other power technologies, wind power is largest installed capacity followed by gas with 26%. Solar photovoltaic installations accounted for 16%.
In Europe, more nuclear and coal capacity were decommissioned than installed in 2009. New generating capacity installed through renewable energy technologies account for 61% in 2009. A total of EUR13 billion was invested in new wind farms in Europe in 2009, including EUR1.5 billion for offshore wind power. Across the EU, total wind power capacity in installed in 2009 was 10,163 MW, an increase of 23% when compared to installations in 2008. Of the total installed capacity onshore accounted for 9,581 MW, an increase of 21%, and offshore capacity was 582 MW, an increase of 56% when compared to 2008.
The year 2009 marks the second consecutive year that more wind power was installed than any other power technology. In 2008, new wind power installed capacity was 35% and it has increased to 39% in 2009. Renewable technologies also accounted for most of the new installed capacities for the second consecutive year.
Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA, said that the data establishes the fact that wind power along with other renewable energy technologies are enabling the EU to reduce carbon emissions while creating new jobs and spurring the economic activity in the region.
Spain accounted for the biggest share of new wind capacity installed with 24% (2459 MW), followed by Germany with 19% (1917 MW), Italy 11% (1114 MW), France 11% (1088 MW) and the UK 10% (1077 MW). In the EU, total wind power capacity was 64,719 MW in 2008 and it has increased to 74,767 MW in 2009..