Wind Breaks Records in Energy

According to a report published today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), in the first half of 2015 in Europe were established 584 new wind turbines, producing a total of 2.34 GW, it is a record figure. Thus, the capacity installed during this period of the turbines was 200% more than the same figure for the first half of 2014, and the number of turbines installed increased by 160%. These turbines have been installed on 12 wind power stations (the so-called wind farms). In addition, another 15 wind farms, with total capacity expected to reach 4.27 GW, are under the construction.

Overall, 82 wind farms is now working in the coastal waters of 11 countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. The total number of power generators at these plants - 3072, with total capacity of 10.4 GW.  

According to EWEA, the power of all European wind power plants in 2014 amounted to 128.8 GWh, including land - 120.7 GW, offshore - a little more than 8 GW. The number of annually installed power generators in Europe increased from 2000 to 2014 by an average of 9.8% - in 2000 were installed generators with a total capacity of 3.2 GW, last year - 11.8 GW. Mostly generators are working in Germany, followed by Spain, the UK and France. According to the Joint Research Centre (JRC) at the European Commission, last year, the wind power plant produced about 8% of the European electricity consumption. According to forecasts of JRC, by 2020 their share will have risen to 12%. According to the plans of the European Commission, by 2020, 20% of electricity production should account for renewable energy (solar and wind energy, biofuels, hydropower and so on), by 2030, their share should reach 27%.