Europe added 4.9 gigawatts (GW) of new wind energy capacity in the first half of 2019, according to data released Thursday by WindEurope. According to the data, the combined installations of new onshore and offshore wind capacity were up on the same period last year when 4.5 GW was installed, but onshore installations were down due to serious issues in Germany.
Out of all European countries, France had the most onshore installations with 523 MW, but overall, Europe installed 2.9 GW of onshore wind in the first half of the year. "This is down on the 3.3 GW installed in the same period last year. Installations were particularly poor in Germany, which had its worst first half of the year since 2000," WindEurope said.
Nonetheless, WindEurope stated the industry expects installations to pick up in the second half of the year particularly in Nordic countries where installation activity is strongest in summer months.
"Turbine orders and market activity suggest we will see significant volumes grid connected in Sweden and Norway in the second semester. Large volumes are also expected in Spain on the back of the 4.1 GW auctioned in 2017 and 2018," the report read.
-Offshore wind in Europe
A total of 1.9 GW of new offshore wind was installed in the first half of the year, up from the 1.1 GW added in the same period of 2018. "The U.K. (931 MW), Denmark (374 MW), Belgium (370 MW) and Germany (252 MW) accounted for these installations. This includes Hornsea 1 in the U.K., which, when completed, will be the world’s largest wind farm with 1.2 GW," WindEurope said.
In the first half of 2019, Europe invested €8.8 billion for the construction of future wind farms, from which €6.4 billion was designated for onshore wind and €2.4 billion for offshore wind. "These investments will result in 5.9 GW being installed and grid connected over the next two to three years. France and the Netherlands led investments," WindEurope stated.
(Anadolu Agency)
