Wind energy has become the lead technology in terms of new capacity additions in Europe and is on track to meet European Commission and industry goals to 2030, according to a new report from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).
In a new report, ‘Pure Power – Wind Energy Scenarios up to 2030’, EWEA says that wind power has experienced dramatic growth in recent years and now meets 3.7 per cent of the EU’s electricity demand. This strong development can be maintained as long as the clear commitment from the European Union and its Member States continues, says EWEA.
The report notes that wind power has ranked second in terms of net power capacity additions in the EU over the last eight years. In 2007 it ranked first, with 8.5 GW of net additions compared to 8.2 GW for natural gas.
The report shows that EWEA believes that the European Commission’s goal of increasing wind power’s share to 12-14 per cent of EU power demand by 2020 is with reach, as is the wind industry’s target of 180 GW of installed capacity in the EU-15 by 2020.
“On average, wind power capacity needs to increase by 9.5 GW per year over the next 13 years to reach 180 GW and meet 12-14 per cent of EU power demand in 2020. This is certainly achievable considering that the EU wind energy capacity increased by 8.5 GW last year,” commented Christian Kjaer, EWEA’s Chief Executive.
EWEA forecasts that wind power’s share of new generating capacity will be 34 per cent in the period 2005-2020 and 46 per cent in the decade leading up to 2030. Installed capacity in the EU-15 now stands at 55 860 MW.
There are now five EU countries – Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Germany – that meet more than five per cent of their electricity demand through wind energy. The 12 new EU Member States are expected to add around 2050 MW of installed capacity to the EU total by 2010.
The EU recently called for a 20 per cent share of renewable energy by 2020, which will mean a significant rise in installed capacity in the next few years. Wind energy will be the largest contributor to the increase, says EWEA, which believes that Europe could achieve 300 GW of wind power capacity by 2030.
“In the current context of soaring energy demand, supply constraints, environmental degradation and climate concerns, wind power stands at the forefront in offering immediate and concrete solutions to the benefit of all European citizens,” said Kjaer.
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