In the past year 2017, the European Union (EU) has broken a new record of installed wind power. Renewable energies are making the way faster and faster. Right now, the EU has an additional 15,7 gigawatts installed which represent a 20% increase in wind capacity compared to 2016.
This is confirmed by a study published by the Wind Europe association. Do you want to know more about the current wind capacity of the European Union?
Wind energy record
The highest record achieved to date in wind energy has been achieved thanks to to a total of 169 GW of installed power. This renewable energy remains the second power generation capacity, coming close to natural gas.
To improve solar energy facilities and increase installed power during 2017, 22.300 billion euros have been invested.
Not all installed energy is onshore wind, but 12.526 GW correspond to generation plants on land and 3.154 GW to offshore sites. This represents a great advance in the corresponding technologies of each sector. 9% more in firm energy and 101% in maritime.
In 2017, this energy source accounted for 11,6% of electricity demand in the European Union as a whole and represents 18% of the total installed capacity, added Wind Europe.
Germany in the lead
Germany, France, Finland, Belgium, Ireland and Croatia broke their national records for new wind installations last year, with Germany leading the EU in both new infrastructure and total capacity.
Germany increased its wind power in 6,6 GW to reach 56.132 GW. This represents 42% of all new installations in the European Union.
As you can see, more and more countries are increasing their renewable energies to spearhead their policies towards an energy transition and decarbonization.