In 2017, Europe saw a record 3,148 megawatts (MW) of net additional installed capacity. This is the due to the addition of 560 new offshore turbines cross 17 wind farms, including the first floating offshore wind farm. In the upcoming year, 11 new projects will be in the works, particularly across Germany and the UK.
WindEurope reports that Germany has become the leader of wind power capacity in Europe. The country installed the most wind power capacity in 2017, making up an astounding 42 percent of the total EU new installations.
These new installments of offshore wind turbines and farms brings Europe’s total installed wind capacity to 15,780 MW; this corresponds to 4,149 grid-connected wind turbines across 11 European countries, with 82 turbines equivalent to 1,927 MW awaiting grid connection. With a total net installed capacity of 169 gigawatts (GW), wind energy remains the second largest form of power generation capacity in Europe, closely approaching gas installations.
Wind power installed more than any other form of power generation in Europe in 2017. Wind power accounted for 55% of total power capacity installations.
The 3.1 GW of capacity installed in 2017 doubled the capacity installed in 2016. The average offshore wind turbine is also getting larger; the average size of the turbines installed in 2017 was 5.9 MW, 23 percent larger than 2016. The budget for wind-powered energy investments is also growing with lenders extending 6.2 billion pounds in non-recourse debt for the financing of new and operational offshore wind farms.
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