EU OFFSHORE WIND BOOM THIS YEAR

European Offshore Wind May Surge by 70% in 2011, Trade Association Says
Alex Morales, January 20, 2011 (Bloomberg News)

"European installations of offshore wind power may surge 70 percent this year, topping 2010’s record 51 percent gain, the European Wind Energy Association [EWEA] said.

"This year is likely to have 1 gigawatt to 1.5 gigawatts of sea-based windmills connected to [the] region’s electricity grid, after 883 megawatts of capacity was installed in 2010…"

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"Countries including the U.K., Denmark and Belgium are betting on offshore wind power to help meet their renewable energy targets. While financing remains difficult to get for the capital-intensive projects, more banks are coming to the market…

"Total installed capacity, at 2.9 gigawatts, is now enough to power 2.9 million homes, according to the study. More than 40 percent of capacity is based in the U.K., and 29 percent is in Denmark…"

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"Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica SA, Spain’s largest turbine maker, plans to invest 150 million euros ($202 million) by 2014 in the U.K. to set up a research center and turbine blade factory as well as a global headquarters for its offshore wind business. General Electric Co. and Siemens AG have also proposed factories in Britain.

"Dong Energy A/S, Denmark’s largest energy company and its top offshore wind farm operator, accounting for 26 percent of installed capacity, according to the study. Stockholm-based Vattenfall AB, is next, with 21 percent, and then comes Germany’s E.ON AG on 16 percent."