EU SETTING RECORDS OFFSHORE

Offshore wind heads for record year
July 21, 2010 (European Wind Energy Association)

"118 new offshore wind turbines were fully connected to the [European] grid in the first half of 2010…[adding] a capacity of 333 MW – well over half the 577 MW installed offshore last year - showing continuing strong growth in offshore wind power despite the financial crisis. In addition, 151 turbines (440 MW) were installed but not yet connected to the grid, [the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) announced]…

"Overall 16 offshore wind farms totalling 3,972 MW were under construction…[F]our became fully operational: Poseidon in Denmark, Alpha Ventus in Germany, Gunfleet Sands and Robin Rigg in the UK…[I]n Europe there are 948 offshore wind turbines in 43 fully operational offshore wind farms, with a total capacity of 2,396 MW."

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"Among the developers, E.ON Climate and Renewables developed 64% of the offshore capacity grid connected during the first half of 2010, followed by DONG (21%) and Vattenfall (11%). Among the manufacturers, Siemens accounted for 55% of the offshore capacity grid connected during the first half of 2010, Vestas 36% and REpower 9%…"

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[Justin Wilkes, Director of Policy, EWEA:] "Despite the financial crisis, offshore wind continues to be a major growth industry…I am confident we are heading for a record year…There is no doubt this burgeoning industry is being held back by a lack of finance. Projects led by utilities are less affected thanks to their ability to fund investments from their balance sheets…”

[Justin Wilkes, Director of Policy, EWEA:] “…[I]ndependent developers are severely constrained. Loans from public institutions such as the European Investment Bank are crucial…[T]his support must be extended further…Europe is a world leader in offshore wind energy, and continuing growth…is essential for European jobs and competitiveness as well as for reducing CO2 emissions.”