EU offshore capacity sees 51% growth in 2010

EUROPE: Installed offshore wind capacity in Europe increased by 51% in 2010 compared to the previous year, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

by Jonathan Tilley 20 January 2011

UK projects such as the Galloper wind farm make it the sector leader

EWEA forecasts that between 1 and 1.5GW of new offshore capacity will be grid connected in Europe during 2011.

Ten wind farms, totalling 3GW, are under construction and Europe’s installed offshore capacity will increase to 6.2GW when completed.

19GW are currently fully consented, and if constructed would generate 66.6TWh of electricity in a normal wind year - enough to supply 14 of Europe’s largest capitals with electricity.

The statistics confirm that the UK is the sector leader with 1341MW installed. It is followed by Denmark (854MW), the Netherlands (249MW), Belgium (195MW) and Sweden (164MW).

Germany, Ireland, Finland and Norway have a further 145MW between them.