Wind Power In The EU To Triple By 2020

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has published projections for onshore and offshore wind power deployment in the European Union out to 2030.
 
In its report entitled "Pure Power", the EWEA estimates massive growth in the wind energy sector, more than tripling its electricity output by 2020.
 
According to Justin Wilkes, the Policy Director of EWEA, 194 billion Euros will be invested in European onshore and offshore wind farms by the end of this decade.
 
"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", he said.

EU's wind energy sector currently produces enough electricity to provide the power needs for 50 million average EU households. Its contribution to the EU's energy mix is expected to skyrocket from a  current 182 Terawatt hours (TWh) or 5.5% of total demand last year, to 581 TWh or 15.7%  in 2020.

Looking at the longer term and assuming favourable policies, the EWEA estimates 1,154 TWh of electricity (28% of total demand) will be produced by wind power in 2030, more than the EU's predicted 241 million households are expected to consume that year.

EU's wind sector is becoming a major employer, with 189,000 people directly and indirectly employed in Europe last year. Assuming that EWEA’s targets are met by 2030, more than 462,000 people will be employed in the industry.

While the future is looking very rosy for the EU's wind energy sector, the EWEA warns renewables legislation and binding targets are needed now for the period after 2020 to take the EU from 19% renewable electricity today, to an expected 34% in 2020 and to 100% renewables by 2050.