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Wind power in Europe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wind power in Europe

As of 2023, Europe had a total installed wind capacity of 255 gigawatts (GW).[1] In 2017, a total of 15,680 MW of wind power was installed, representing 55% of all new power capacity, and the wind power generated 336 TWh of electricity, enough to supply 11.6% of the EU's electricity consumption.[2]

Wind power installed in Europe in 2013

In Q4 2023, wind power exceeded coal in European electricity generation for the first time, generating 193 TWh compared to coal's 184 TWh. Despite wind installation challenges, wind generation rose by 20% from 2022. New policies aim to further boost wind power in 2024.[3]

The European Wind Energy Association (now WindEurope) has estimated that 230 gigawatts of wind capacity will be installed in Europe by 2020, consisting of 190 GW onshore and 40 GW offshore. This would produce 14-17% of the EU's electricity, avoiding 333 million tonnes of CO2 per year and saving Europe €28 billion a year in fuel costs.[4][5]

Research from a wide variety of sources in various European countries shows that support for wind power is consistently about 80 per cent among the general public.[6]

By 2020, 56% wind power penetration was achieved in Denmark, 36% in Lithuania, 35% in Ireland, 23% in Portugal, 23% in Germany, 20% in Spain, 18% in Greece, 16% in Sweden, 15% (avg) in the EU.[7]

EU Wind Power Package

The European Commission introduced the European Wind Power Package in October 2023, which incorporates the European Wind Power Action Plan. This plan aims to streamline wind energy deployment by expediting processes such as permitting and auction design, with an emphasis on increasing investment in offshore wind and ocean energies.[8]

Despite EU wind generation capacity reaching 221 GW in 2023, additional efforts are required to align with the EU's energy and climate objectives by 2030. Wind power constitutes over one-third (37%) of total renewable electricity generation in the EU and contributes to the economy, providing approximately 300,000 jobs in 2022. With the implementation of the REPowerEU targets, job growth is projected to reach 936,000 by 2030.[8]

By country

Summarize
Perspective
Thumb
Wind power capacity per capita over time

Denmark

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Middelgrunden offshore wind farm, 3.5 km outside Copenhagen

In 2014 wind power in Denmark provided some 39 per cent of Danish domestic electricity[9][10] and Denmark is a leading wind power nation in the world. The Danes were pioneers in developing commercial wind power during the 1970s and today almost half of the wind turbines around the world are produced by Danish manufacturers such as Vestas and Siemens Wind Power.[11]

The Danish wind turbine industry is the world's largest and 90% of the wind turbines manufactured in Denmark are sold to international markets. In 2003, the Danish manufacturers had a total world market share of approximately 38%, generating a combined turnover of almost 3 billion Euro and maintaining over 20,000 people employed in the industry, from wind turbine factories to maintenance and research.[11]

The development of wind power in Denmark has been characterised by a close collaboration between publicly financed research and industry in key areas such as research and development, certification, testing, and the preparation of standards.[10]

Estonia

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Wind farm of Hanila, Lääne County

As of 2013, the installed capacity of wind power in Estonia was 269.4 MW,[12] while roughly 1466.5 MW[13] worth of projects are currently being developed and three major offshore projects with total capacity of 1490 MW are being planned. Estonia, as a country, which is widely open to the sea and has a flat territory, possesses a very high potential for the development of wind energy.[14]

According to a survey carried out by the Estonian Ministry of the Environment, 95% of the respondents considered wind power as the most environmentally friendly way to produce energy.[15]

Finland

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Wind farm in Ii, Finland

Wind power in Finland has been the fastest growing source of electricity in recent years. In 2024, Finland covered 24% of the yearly electricity demand with wind power production, which was 25% of domestic production. Wind capacity was up 20% from the previous year and wind production up 37%.[16] This compares to an average wind power share of 19% in the EU.[17]

By the end of 2022, Finland's wind power capacity reached 5,677 MW with 1,393 turbines installed. That year, wind power production increased by 41% to 11.6 TWh, representing 14.1% of the country's electricity consumption. This growth positioned wind power as the country's third largest electricity source.[18] In 2024 wind surpassed hydropower to become the second largest source behind only nuclear power.[16]

According to a 2018 study done by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, published in Nature Energy, new wind power technology could cover the entire electricity consumption (86 TWh) of Finland.[19]

Wind power is one of the most popular energy resources among the Finnish public. In 2022 82% of respondents wanted more wind power, which was second only to solar with 90%.[20] Previous results include 90% in September 2007 and 88% in April 2005.[21] In the Pori area of Finland 97% of people supported wind power according to Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy in 2000.[22]

Germany

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Wind farm in Neuenkirchen

Wind power plays an important role in Germany's renewable energy mix. In October 2014, the installed domestic capacity amounted to 35,678 megawatts, of which offshore contributed 616 MW.[23]

In 2014, wind generated more than 51 terawatt-hours of electricity and contributed about 9.7% to the nations total net-generated electricity. This is 1.3% more than the year before. December 2014 was the best month, generating 8.9 TWh and on par with record-breaking month of December 2011. Along with the generated electricity of 18.5 TWh (3.5%) from hydro, 32.8 TWh (6.2%) from solar, and 54 TWh (10.0%) from biomass, all four renewable energy sources generated 154 TWh or about 30% of the nation's total net-generation. Electricity production from combined wind and solar has now achieved almost the level of nuclear power (84.2 TWh vs. 91.8 TWh).[24]

More than 21,607 wind turbines are located in the German federal area and the country has plans to build more wind turbines.[25][26] As of 2011, Germany's federal government is working on a new plan for increasing renewable energy commercialisation,[27] with a particular focus on offshore wind farms.[28]

Greece

Thumb
View of a wind farm, Panachaiko mountain

Wind power in Greece was due to expand by 352% by 2010 to meet the European target of 20% coverage of energy needs from renewable sources. Previously, there were 1,028 wind turbines installed throughout Greece and the number was set to reach 2,587 wind turbines before the end of 2010.[29]

According to the Ministry of Environment and Public Works, the system would have a nameplate capacity of 3,372MW of power from wind alone compared to 746MW at the end of 2006.[30] Greece chose to invest primarily to wind power by 77%, while the rest of renewable sources altogether comprise the remaining 23% of production with hydroelectric power being second with 11%.[31][32]

Ireland

Ireland is the best location in Europe for wind power as it is situated on the Western edge of Europe and is exposed to high winds from the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea. Wind power capacity factors tend to be higher in Ireland than anywhere else. By the end of 2019 the installed capacity of wind power in Ireland was 4,155 megawatts,[33] generating 36.3% of Ireland's electrical power in 2020.[34]

Most wind farms in Ireland are located in coastal regions and especially in the West of Ireland. However, the Irish Sea is getting some attention and the first offshore wind farm in Ireland is located a few kilometres north of Arklow and 10 km out to sea and is known as the Arklow Bank Wind Park. This is set to expand in the future. Other proposals are an offshore wind farm on the Kish Bank which is about 15 kilometers offshore from Dublin, the capital city. With another planned wind farm at Clogherhead (north of Drogheda, south of Dundalk), to be called the Oriel Wind Farm. The Codling windfarm, planned for the south Irish Sea, will have a capacity of 1100 MW with 330 turbines, giving a huge boost to wind generated power in Ireland.

Lithuania

Wind energy is set to become Lithuania's main electricity source, projected to account for at least 70% by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) 2021 Energy Policy Review.[35] This reflects Lithuania's strategy to be electricity self-sufficient by 2050, reducing current import needs from 70% to zero. The country encourages decentralized energy production, including wind power, with subsidies, net metering, and virtual power plants. To handle wind energy's variability, Lithuania plans to implement hydrogen storage for offshore wind by 2030. Litgrid, the national grid operator, is focusing on integrating more wind and solar power, essential for supporting energy generation by prosumers and aligning with EU sustainable energy goals.[35]

Romania

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The Fântânele-Cogealac Wind Farm in Romania, it consists of 240 turbines, with a capacity of 600 MW.[36]

As of 2016, wind power in Romania has an installed capacity of about 3,028 MW,[37] up from the 14 MW installed capacity in 2009.[38] The main regions of great potential of wind are Northern Dobruja and Moldavia.

The 600 MW Dunarea East and West wind project, located in southeastern Romania, is expected to begin operations in 2026. Its substantial size is comparable to that of the Fântânele-Cogealac wind power plant, situated nearby and recognized as the largest onshore wind facility in Europe, with a capacity of 600 MW.[39]

Spain

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Aerial view of the Sierra de Gredos in Spain

In 2011, Spain was Europe's leading producer of wind energy and ranked second only behind Germany in terms of installed capacity. In 2012, domestic capacity amounted to 22,785 MW.[40][41] Wind power alone covered 16.6% of the total electricity demand in Spain in 2010 (according to Red Eléctrica de España, the Spanish system operator) and continues as the third technology in the system, after nuclear power and combined cycles. Wind energy's installed capacity could meet the electricity needs of two-thirds of Spanish households. In 2010, the electricity sector reduced its CO2 emissions by 26% thanks to wind energy.[42][43] "Spain holds these positions as a result of the establishment of a stable regulatory framework, better understanding of the resource, and improved technology that have afforded considerable cost reduction in terms of initial investment, maintenance, and exploitation".[42]

Turkey

Wind power generates about 10% of Turkey's electricity, mainly in the west in the Aegean and Marmara regions, and is gradually becoming a larger share of renewable energy in the country. As of 2023, Turkey has 11 gigawatts (GW) of wind turbines. The Energy Ministry plans to have almost 30 GW by 2035.[44]

United Kingdom

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A turbine blade convoy passing through Edenfield, UK

By the beginning of March 2022, the UK had 11,091 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of over 24.6 gigawatts (GW): 14.1 GW of onshore capacity and 10.4 GW of offshore capacity,[45] the sixth largest capacity of any country in 2019.[46]

1.8 GW of new wind power capacity was brought online during 2012, a 30% increase of the total UK installed capacity. 2012 was a significant year for the offshore wind industry with 4 large wind farms becoming operational with over 1.1 GW of generating capability coming on stream.[47]

Through the Renewables Obligation, British electricity suppliers are now required by law to provide a proportion of their sales from renewable sources such as wind power or pay a penalty fee. The supplier then receives a Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) for each MW·h of electricity they have purchased.[48] Within the United Kingdom, wind power is the second largest source of renewable energy after biomass.[49]

Wind power is expected to continue growing in the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future – RenewableUK estimated in 2010 that more than 2,000 MW of capacity would be deployed per year for the next five years.[50] By 2020, the United Kingdom is expected to have more than 28,000 MW of wind capacity.[51] By 2050, UK government plans to cut carbon emissions to zero by using wind power.[52]

Europe's Wind Energy Event

In the Europe's Premier Wind Energy Event February 2013 wind was evaluated by Robert Clover from MAKE Consulting as the cheapest electricity technology after 2020 meeting 50% of electricity demand in Europe by 2050.[53] According to Fatih Birol, Chief Economist at the International Energy Agency, without phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, the EU will not reach its climate targets. The fossil fuel subsidies were half a trillion dollars in 2011. The biggest challenges of wind energy is the lack of predictability of government policies, and not the lack of predictability of wind power, according to Birol. Retroactive policy changes have also undermined investment in renewable energy projects.[54] The European wind industry needs skilled workforce.[55] The EU wind energy capacity in the end of 2012 was 105.6 GW. Renewable energy represented 69% of new power capacity in 2012, while fuel oil, coal and nuclear capacity saw negative growth due to decommissioning.[56]

Public opinion

Summarize
Perspective

Recent public opinion surveys about wind power at both the EU and the country level shows that wind energy, being a clean and renewable energy source, is traditionally linked to very strong and stable levels of public support. About 80 per cent of EU citizens support wind power.[6] Despite overwhelming popular support in the abstract, wind farm projects at times raise local opposition, especially in locations closer to populations or to woodland wildlife. For instance, a wind project in Ripfjallet, Sweden in 2020 has been opposed by a group of local residents who wish to maintain the historical landscape. They succeeded in arranging a local referendum scheduled for 22 June 2020 to determine the future of the project. In Germany, a government agency found that there were 325 active lawsuits against wind projects as of January 2020, often on the basis of protecting ecology and wildlife.[57]

More information Great Britain, France ...
Opinion on increase in number of wind farms, 2010 Harris Poll[5]
Great
Britain
FranceItalySpainGermany
 % % % % %
Strongly oppose66224
Oppose more than favour121611914
Favour more than oppose4444383742
Strongly favour3833495340
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Statistics

Summarize
Perspective

Installed wind power capacity

More information #, Country ...
Europe wind power Capacity (MW)[58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65]
# Country 2024[66] 2023[67] 2022[68] 2021[69] 2020[70] 2019[71] 2018[72] 2017[73] 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Installed wind power capacity in Europe
1Germany 72,67269,67566,32264,04062,58060,72058,85055,58049,43044,58038,61033,48030,83028,77027,18025,77723,89722,24720,62218,41516,62914,60911,9948,7546,1134,4422,875
2UK 31,63629,62228,49326,81224,16723,51520,97018,87215,03014,29112,44010,5318,4456,5405,2044,0512,9742,4061,9621,332904667552474406362333
3Spain 31,18030,56929,79828,19627,26425,80823,49423,17023,02622,98722,98622,95922,79621,67420,67619,14916,68915,13111,62310,0288,2646,2034,8253,3372,2351,812834
4France 24,38322,79221,13519,08117,94916,64615,30913,75911,67010,3249,2858,2547,1966,8005,6604,4923,4042,4541,56775739025714893662519
5Sweden 17,20016,44114,58512,0979,9928,9857,4076,6916,5196,0295,4254,4703,7452,9072,1631,5601,048788571509442399345293231220174
6Turkey 13,79312,34211,96910,7509,3058,0567,3696,8576,1014,7183,7632,9562,3121,6911,329801458
7Italy 12,94512,33611,84811,10810,85210,5129,9589,4799,2558,9738,6638,5518,1446,7475,7974,8503,7362,7262,1231,7181,266905788682427277180
8Netherlands 11,70611,4939,0528,1656,7844,6004,4714,3414,1803,3912,8052,6932,3912,3282,2452,2292,2251,7471,5581,2191,079910693486446433361
9Poland 10,2339,3837,8647,1166,6145,9175,8646,3975,7825,1003,8343,3902,4971,6161,107725544276153836363270000
10Finland 8,3576,9435,6783,3282,5862,2842,0412,1131,5331,005627448288197197146143110868282524339393917
11Denmark 7,6127,5627,2827,1786,1806,1285,7585,4765,2425,0754,8454,7724,1623,8713,7523,4653,1633,1253,1363,1283,1183,1162,8892,4892,4171,7711,443
12Portugal 5,9635,8345,6965,6125,4865,4375,3805,3165,2695,0344,9144,7244,5254,0833,8983,5352,8622,1501,7161,0225222961951311006160
13Belgium 5,6485,4925,3065,0024,7193,8793,3602,8432,4002,1691,9591,6511,3751,078911563415287194167966835321366
14Greece 5,3545,2264,6824,4524,1133,5762,8442,6512,3742,1361,9801,8651,7491,6291,2081,08798587174657347338329727218911239
15Norway 5,1885,1845,1494,6553,9802,4441,6751,162838822819768703520441431429333314267160101
16Ireland 4,8614,8024,6374,4054,3514,1553,5643,1272,7652,4402,2722,0371,7381,6311,4281,2601,0277957464963391901371241187473
17Austria 4,0283,8853,5863,3003,1203,1593,0452,8282,6322,4042,0951,6841,3781,0841,01199599598296581960641514094773430
18Romania 3,1503,1003,0293,0293,0293,0293,0293,0293,0282,9762,9542,5991,90598246214118321100000
19Russia 2,0432,0432,0439051911391041515151515159900000000000
20Ukraine 1,9471,9021,6731,6731,3141,1705335935265144983712781518794908986770000000
21Lithuania 1,7501,20874066854854843942142142127927922517916391545451486600000
22Croatia 1,3031,2561,100990803652583583466462347339[74]180131892800000000000
23Estonia 711376320320320320310310310302302280269184149142785932326220000
24Bulgaria 70670670770769169169169169169169168167461237517712057361010000000
25Serbia 6235123743743743743741810000000000000000000
26Czech Republic 371337337337337337317308281281281269260217215192150116542817930000
27Hungary 3293293293293293293293293293293293293293292952011276561173330000
28Bosnia and Herzegovina 2441351351351358751
29Luxembourg 21420816616816613612012010058585858444435353535353522171510109
30Cyprus 15815815815815815815815815815814714714713482000000000000
31Kosovo 137137137137323232
32Latvia 13713713766666666667069626260313028272727272727240000
33Montenegro 118118118118118118118
34Switzerland 1001018787877575757560606050464218141212120000000
35North Macedonia 73733737373737373737370000000000000000
36Faroe Islands 716868181818187700000000000000
37Slovakia 433333333333333555530000000
38Belarus 333333333333000000000000000
39Iceland 333333333331.8000000000000000
40Slovenia 333333333520000000000000000
41Malta 000000000000000000000000000
Total installed wind power capacity
-EU-28/27 230,979220,253204,499188,892179,093192,231178,826169,319153,641142,042128,751117,289105,69693,95784,07474,76764,71256,51748,06940,51134,38328,59923,15917,31512,8879,6786,453
-Europe Offshore 36,65734,23730,26728,33325,01322,07118,441
-Europe 284,914272,497254,788235,712219,546204,814189,229178,096161,261148,240133,968121,474109,23896,60786,07576,15265,74157,13648,56340,898
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Per capita capacity

Wind power today, in an average wind year, generates the equivalent of over 20% of Denmark's electricity use and 25–30% of that in three German Länder, and on windy days with light loads, over 100% of the load in certain regions, particularly in West Denmark, North Germany, and northern Spain.[75]

More information #, Country ...
EU wind power Capacity in watts per capita
# Country 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010[76] 2009[77] 2008[78] 2007
1  Denmark947.2911.8894.6850.1837.3745.8706.2686.6627.5581579
2  Germany679.8608.7553.7483.0415.9382.8355.7332.7315.3291270
3  Sweden661.6647.7618.1551.0454.0394.8308.7231.6166.911188
4  Ireland652.5580.7537.4490.1439.5375.0364.0319.6283.1228193
5  Portugal515.6511.1489.6471.3471.2429.2403.4366.4332.5270203
6  Spain497.8495.6495.8495.0494.3490.8469.2449.6415.5370367
7  Finland383.1278.6182.8114.381.753.436.636.827.32721
- Average330.8300.2278.6253.3230.8209.7187.2168.3149.2131116
8  Austria320.5299.3281.0243.0195.3163.2128.2120.7118.8119120
9  United Kingdom287.5228.9210.0192.2162.7132.4105.083.965.35440
10  Netherlands252.6245.3203.0165.3158.7145.3139.1135.4134.0136107
11  Belgium249.4212.3198.0175.1147.5124.598.481.952.03628
12  Greece246.4212.3199.0180.1170.2154.9143.6106.996.18878
13  Estonia235.1229.2230.7230.2213.4200.8137.2111.0111.35845
14  France204.8174.2156.1139.3123.9114.6104.087.569.95340
15  Luxembourg203.2173.5106.7106.7106.7106.784.686.286.29071
16  Cyprus184.8185.7186.5170.5170.5170.5166.6102.1000
17  Lithuania175.6180.4145.196.696.674.855.246.327.31915
18  Poland166.5149.7134.299.688.164.942.331.018.5127
19  Italy156.7152.7147.3142.5140.7133.9111.196.180.36347
20  Romania154.3154.2157.5151.4133.290.945.919.5110
21  Bulgaria97.393.893.893.892.589.781.649.623.42110
22  Latvia34.233.533.533.533.533.313.913.812.51212
23  Hungary33.633.033.033.033.033.032.929.320.1126
24  Czech Republic29.126.826.826.825.624.620.620.518.41411
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Leading EU countries by wind power production

More information Country, 2019(GWh) ...
Leading EU countries by wind power production [79][80]
Country 2019(GWh) 2022 (GWh)
Germany126,000124,800
United Kingdom63,468
Spain54,21262,800
France (w/o overseas)34,10038,000
Sweden19,90233,300
Netherlands11,45821,400
Italy20,20020,500
Poland15,00019,800
Denmark16,14919,000
Portugal13,73213,200
Belgium8,11912,400
Finland5,98712,000
Ireland9,35411.200
Greece7,27910,900
Austria7,2697,200
Romania6,7457,000
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See also

References

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