Posted on: 14/02/2017
Wind turbines capable of generating a combined 12.5GW of power were erected across the European Union’s (EU’s) 28 member states during 2016.
Figures released by trade body Wind Europe showed 10.9GW of onshore capacity was added, along with 1.6GW from offshore wind farms.
Total wind capacity in Europe now stands at 153.7GW, with wind energy covering 10.4% of Europe’s electricity needs last year.
Germany installed the most wind turbines, accounting for 44% of the EU total.
Wind is ‘mainstream’
Five EU member states had a record year: Finland, France, Ireland, Lithuania and the Netherlands.
Investment in wind reached a record €27.5 billion (£23.4bn).
Giles Dickson, Chief Executive Officer of WindEurope, said: “Wind energy is now a mainstream and essential part of Europe’s electricity supply.
“It is also a mature and significant industry in its own right, now providing 330,000 jobs and billions of euros of European exports.”
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