EU wind power will triple by 2020, says EWEA

The EWEA made the prediction in its "Pure Power" report published today, with scenarios for onshore and offshore wind power deployment in the EU.

"Wind energy will more than triple its power output by 2020 with €194bn invested in European onshore and offshore wind farms in this decade," said Justin Wilkes, policy director of EWEA.

"This success is mainly driven by a strong EU regulatory framework to 2020, which we need also after 2020."

"Wind power will not only make a very substantial contribution to meeting Europe's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - it strongly accelerates a shift away from expensive fossil fuels, creates jobs, makes Europe more competitive, and provides secure and renewable power production in Europe," Wilkes said.

By 2030 1,154 TWh (28 per cent of total demand) would be produced by wind power, more than the EU's predicted 241 million private households are expected to consume in 2030.

Wind power today produces electricity equivalent to the consumption of 50 million average EU households, assuming an average EU household consuption of 3.76 MWh.

The report comes ahead of the European Commission's Energy Roadmap 2050, due to be published later this year.

It also shows that the 27 EU member states will have different increases in wind power capacity over the coming years.

Further reading:

Read the EWEA Pure Power report