Wind power to bring 15.7% of EU's power demand in 2020 - EWEA

Aug 4, 2011 - By 2020, wind power is to provide 15.7% of total power demand within the European Union (EU) with wind power output reaching 581 TWh, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) projects.

The sector's growth is fueled by the EU's strong regulatory framework through 2020. By the end of the decade, about EUR 194 billion (USD 278bn) will be invested in onshore and offshore wind power projects in Europe, said Justin Wilkes, policy director of EWEA.

Electricity production from wind power in 2010 stood at 182 TWh, bringing 5.5% of EU's total consumption. EWEA projects that by 2030 output may reach 1,154 TWh or 28% of total demand.

According to EWEA all 27 member states of the EU will grow their installed wind power capacities in the coming years. Capacity in Poland, for example, is expected to grow 9.5 times by 2020, while in Bulgaria and Romania it is to increase eight and 6.5 times, respectively.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.432)

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