EWEA: More Than One-Third of Future EU Electricity Generating Capacity Will Be Wind Power

May 5, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

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In its latest report, Pure Power - Wind Energy Scenarios up to 2030, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) outlines the road towards large-scale wind energy.

Presenting three development scenarios for 2010, 2020 and 2030, the report examines the probable impact on electricity, greenhouse gas emissions and the European Union (EU) economy. It confirms the positive prospects of a technology in 2007 became the leader in terms of net power capacity additions in the EU.

Wind power share of new generating capacity is forecast to be 34% between 2005 and 2020 and 46% in the decade leading up to 2030, reported EWEA. Wind power share of new capacity in Europe in between 2005 and 2030 is 39%.

Wind power currently meets 3.7% of the EU electricity demand and has ranked second in terms of net power capacity additions over the last eight years.

This strong development can be maintained, and further reinforced in the coming years, as long as the clear commitment from the EU and its member states continues, said EWEA.

Swift adoption of the EU Renewables Energy Directive by the European Parliament and the European Council is key to a strong future development.

Pure Power - Wind Energy Scenarios up to 2030 shows that the EU goal of increasing wind power share up to 12-14% by 2020 is within reach.

"On average, wind power capacity needs to increase by 9.5 GW [gigawatt] per year over the next 13 years to reach 180 GW and meet 12-14% of EU power demand in 2020. This is certainly achievable considering that the EU wind energy capacity increased by 8.5 GW last year," said Christian Kjaer, EWEA chief executive.

The wind industry target of 180 GW by 2020 is equivalent to supplying the electricity needs of 107 million average EU households. Such penetration level would avoid the emission of 328 metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2), contribute 44% of the EU greenhouse gases reduction target and avoid yearly fuel costs of Û20.5B and CO2 costs of Û8.2B. It would also create hundreds of thousands of jobs, said EWEA.

Source: European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).