Need for continued EU commitment to wind

Published:  12 February, 2014

During 2013, 11,159 MW of new wind energy capacity came on line in the EU-28, a decrease of 8% compared to 2012. There are now 117,289 MW installed in the EU, meeting 8% of EU electricity demand, and a further 4,188 MW in the rest of Europe.

The overall EU installation level masks significant volatility across Europe. In a number of previously healthy markets such as Spain, Italy and France installations have decreased significantly compared to the previous year, by 84%, 65% and 24% respectively.

This has contributed to 46% of all new installations in 2013 being in just two countries (Germany and the United Kingdom), a significant change compared to previous years when installations were less concentrated being increasingly spread across healthy European markets.

Justin Wilkes, deputy CEO of EWEA, commented: "EU wind power installations for 2013 show the negative impact of the market, regulatory and political uncertainty that has been sweeping across Europe. Destabilised legislative frameworks for wind energy have undermined investments, and put green growth, jobs and energy security at risk.”

He concluded: "It is fundamental that the heads of states at the March Council reaffirm the EU's commitment to renewables and sets Member States binding and ambitious 2030 targets. The Commission's weak proposal on a 2030 climate and energy framework will not bring stable growth back to the wind energy sector."

Wind power is the technology that was installed the most in 2013, with 32% of total power capacity installations. Renewable power installations accounted for 72% of new installations during 2013: 25 GW of a total 35 GW of new power capacity, up from 70% the previous year.

Since 2000, over 28% of new capacity installed has been wind power, 55% renewables and 92% renewables and gas combined.