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| Europe adds 6.1 GW of wind energy capacity in first half of 2017  6.1 GW of extra wind energy capacity was installed in Europe in the first half of 2017, according to figures released today by WindEurope. The figure puts Europe on course for a bumper year for installations, although hides some worrying trends. A total of 4.8 GW of onshore wind capacity was installed in the first half of 2017, although it was heavily concentrated in Germany (2.2 GW), UK (1.2 GW) and France (492 MW). There has also been a flurry of activity in offshore wind: 18 projects in four EU Member States (Germany, UK, Belgium and Finland), which saw a total of 1.3 GW installed. In investments, €8.3bn on new asset financing was made in the first half of the year: €5.4bn in onshore and €2.9bn in offshore, the latter down from a record high of €14bn in the same period in 2016. Again, the trend for market concentration was visible, with 53% of total investments (onshore and offshore) made in Germany and no offshore investments made in the UK. WindEurope Chief Policy Officer, Pierre Tardieu, said: "We are on track for a good year in wind capacity installations but growth is driven by a handful of markets. At least ten EU countries have yet to install a single MW so far this year. On onshore wind, the end of UK Renewable Obligation scheme will lead to even greater market concentration in Germany, Spain and France. On offshore, the level of finance activity is a concern. Although this won't translate into lower installations for another few years, the industry needs clarity on volumes for the post-2020 period to maintain the current cost reduction trend". Tardieu added: "Member States should come forward as soon as possible with their National Energy and Climate Plans to 2030. In combination with the three-year auctioning schedule proposed by the European Commission, the national plans will give sorely needed visibility to the wind energy supply chain". Country Onshore (MW) Offshore (MW) Austria 106.8 Belarus N/A Belgium 105 165 Bulgaria 0 Croatia 20.7 Cyprus 0 Czech Republic 0 Denmark 59.9 Estonia 0 Faroe Islands 0 Finland 50 21 France 492.35 FYROM N/A Germany 2280.7 641 Greece 46 Hungary 0 Iceland 0 Ireland 159 Italy 187 Latvia 0 Liechtenstein N/A Lithuania 0 Luxembourg N/A Malta N/A Netherlands 88 Norway N/A Poland 5.82 Portugal 0 Romania 0 Russia N/A Serbia N/A Slovakia 0 Slovenia 0 Spain 0 Sweden* 23.1 Switzerland 0 Turkey 377.85 UK 1151 518 Ukraine 0 Total 5153 1344 Total EU 4775 1344 * FOR SWEDEN, FIGURES ARE BASED ON ORDERS The full mid-year statistics report including a mid-term outlook to 2020 and a dedicated webinar will be launched in the second half of September 2017. write your comments about the article :: © 2017 Construction News :: home page |