The offshore wind on course to beat a record
According to recent statistics released by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), 118 new wind turbines have been fully connected to the network during the first half of 2010.
These 118 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 333MW – more than half of the 577 MW installed offshore last year – according to the EWEA said “a strong continued growth of wind energy despite the financial crisis.”
In addition, 151 additional turbines (440 MW) were installed but have not yet been connected to the network. In all, 16 offshore wind farms totaling 3,972 MW were under construction. Of these, four have become fully operational: Poseidon Denmark, Alpha Ventus in Germany, Gunfleet Sands and Robin Rigg in the United Kingdom.
In Europe, to date, there are 948 offshore wind turbines located on 43 fully operational wind farms offshore, making a total capacity of 2396 MW.
Among developers, E. ON Climate and Renewables 64% have developed the capacity of the offshore network connected during the first half of 2010, followed by Dong (21%) and Vattenfal (11%). Among manufacturers, Siemens is responsible for 55% of offshore capacity in network connected to the first half of 2010, Vestas 36% and 9% REpower.
“Despite the financial crisis, offshore wind continues to be an important developing area quickly,” said Justin Wilkes, director of policy at the EWEA. “The number of offshore wind turbines connected to the network established in the first half beyond half of total capacity installed last year and I am sure that this year will be historic.”
He added, “there is no doubt that this budding sector is constrained by a lack of funding.’s Projects its network operators are less affected by their ability to finance investments from their balance sheet but Independent developers are seriously limited. Loans from public institutions such as the European Investment Bank, are essential and have already helped a number of projects and support must still continue.”
“Europe is a world leader in offshore wind and continued growth – and the availability of funding is essential to European jobs and competitiveness and in order to reduce CO2 emissions.”
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