A total of 224 new offshore wind turbines generating 781MW were fully grid connected in Europe during the first six months of 2014. A further 282 wind turbines have been installed but not connected during this period, making a total of 310 offshore wind turbines awaiting grid connection. These turbines will add a further 1,200MW of offshore wind energy capacity once they are connected.
“Despite offshore wind power installations being lower than in the first six months of last year, it remains the fastest growing power sector in Europe” said Justin Wilkes, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). “However, despite significant financing activity in the first half of the year, the contraction in installations we have witnessed in these first six months, may well continue into 2015 and 2016.”
Mr Wilkes added that the industry must be given longer-term visibility in order to ensure healthy growth in the latter part of the decade and to ensure offshore wind energy fulfils its role in meeting the EU’s competitiveness, security, renewable and climate objectives. An ambitious deal on the 2030 Climate and Energy package by the EU’s Heads of State in October would send the right signal.
Total installed offshore wind capacity in Europe is now 7,343 MW from 73 wind farms across 11 countries, capable of producing 27 TWh of electricity, enough to meet the needs of over 7 million households – or the entire population of the Netherlands.
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