EU wind power installations increase sharply

On Wednesday 18 July the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) noted that 50% more offshore wind power capacity was installed in the EU in the first half of 2012 than in the same period last year. 132 new offshore wind turbines, totalling 523MW, were fully grid-connected during the first six months of the year, which the EWEA said could turn out to be the "best ever" for wind energy in Europe. The agency said that a further 160 wind turbines, totalling 647MW, were built and awaiting grid connection. Overall 4,336MW of offshore wind capacity was operating on 30 June, up from 3,294MW the year before. There are currently 13 offshore wind farms under construction in the EU, and once complete they will have a combined capacity of 3,762MW.
EWEA