Wind Now Leads EU Power Sector

Brussels (ots/PRNewswire) - In 2008, more wind power was
installed in the EU than any other electricity generating technology.
Statistics released by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
today show that 43% of all new electricity generating capacity built
in the European Union last year was wind energy, exceeding all other
technologies including gas, coal and nuclear power.

A total of 19,651 MW of new power capacity was constructed in the
EU last year. Out of this, 8,484 MW (43%) was wind power; 6,932 MW
(35%) gas; 2,495 MW (13%) oil; 762 (4%) MW coal and 473 (2%) MW hydro
power capacity.

For the first time, wind energy is the leading technology in
Europe. A total of 64,949 MW of installed wind energy capacity was
operating in the EU by end 2008, 15% higher than in 2007.

"The figures show that wind energy is the undisputed number one
choice in Europe's efforts to move towards clean, indigenous
renewable power", said Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive.

On average, 20 wind turbines were installed for every working day
of 2008. By the end of the year, a total of 160,000 workers were
employed directly and indirectly in the sector, which saw investments
of about EUR11 billion in the EU. The wind power capacity installed
by end 2008 will, in a normal wind year, produce 142 TWh of
electricity, equal to about 4.2% of the EU's electricity demand, and
avoid the emission of 108 million tonnes of C02 per year, the
equivalent of taking more than 50 million cars off Europe's roads.

"Wind energy is an example of an intelligent investment that puts
EU citizens' money to work in their own economies rather than
transferring it to a handful of fuel-exporting nations", commented
Kjaer. "Investing in wind energy means supporting technology
leadership, climate protection, energy independence, commercial
opportunities and jobs."

Germany and Spain are still battling over the top spot. In 2008,
Germany is back in a narrow lead with 1,665 MW against Spain's 1,609
MW. But overall, 2008 saw a much more balanced expansion led by
France, the UK and Italy, part of a 'second wave' of countries that
are providing real momentum to the surge in wind energy. In 2008
Italy added 1,010 MW to reach a total of 3,736 MW of capacity; France
950 MW to reach 3,404 MW and the UK, 836 MW to reach 3,241 MW. Ten EU
Member States - over one-third - now each have more than 1,000 MW of
installed wind energy capacity[1]. Austria (995 MW) and Greece (985)
are just below the 1,000 MW mark.

A distinct 'third wave' became visible for the first time in 2008
as the new Member States had their strongest year ever. Hungary
doubled its capacity to 127 MW and Bulgaria tripled its capacity from
57 MW to 158 MW. Poland, one of the fastest growing younger markets,
now has 472 MW up from 276 MW. Outside the EU Member States, Turkey
tripled its wind energy capacity from 147 MW to 433 MW.

In terms of offshore wind energy, 357 MW of capacity was added in
2008, to reach a total of 1,471 MW. Nearly 2.3% of total installed EU
capacity is now offshore.

For a map, tables and charts showing the EU wind energy figures
for 2008 in detail, click here.
(http://www.ewea.org/index.php?id=180)

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[1] These are: Germany, Spain, Denmark, France, Italy, the
Netherlands, Portugal, the UK, Sweden and Ireland.

ots Originaltext: European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For more information please contact: Isabelle Valentiny, T:
+32-2-546-19-81, M: +32-474-54-20-25