Wind energy leads EU power installations in 2007

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://home.nestor.minsk.by/build/news/2008/02/0816.html

Wind energy leads EU power installations in 2007

In 2007 wind capacity grew more in Europe than any other power-generating technology, an increase driven by Spain. Statistics released by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) show that the installed capacity of wind power increased by 18% last year to reach a level of 56, 535 MW. Despite this, some EU countries did not grow as expected. The total capacity of new wind turbines brought on line across the European Union last year was 8,554 MW, an increase of 935 MW on the 2006 total. Total wind power capacity installed by the end of 2007 will avoid about 90 million tonnes of CO2 annually and produce 119 Terawatt hours in an average wind year, equal to 3.7% of EU power demand. In 2000, less than 0.9% of EU electricity demand was met by wind power.

"It is positive that wind energy is now increasing more than any other power technology in Europe. The market is up by 12% compared to 2006 but if we exclude Spain from the figures, the European market for wind turbines shows a small decline", commented Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive.

Indeed, Spain set a new record in 2007, installing 3,522 MW – the highest amount of any European country in any year ever. 10% of its electricity now comes from wind. There was also sustained growth in France – which added 888 MW to reach 2,454 MW – and Italy, with 603 MW more and a total of 2,726 MW. The new Member States performed well and increased installed capacity by 60%, with Poland, the most successful, reaching a total of 276 MW. The Czech Republic installed 63 MW, its best year ever, and Bulgaria 34 MW.

Nevertheless, a handful of markets pulled in the opposite direction including Germany, Portugal and the UK. As a result, the overall market growth in 2007 - 12% - was not as striking as it could have been. The global market for wind turbines grew by approximately 30% last year to 20,000 MW, and European companies continue to lead the market which is estimated to have been worth some €25 billion in 2007.

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