A new report from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) to be published next month shows how wind energy can substantially contribute to achieving the European Union's (EU) commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% to 95% by 2050.
The EWEA report sets out targets for the amount of wind power the industry expects to be able to deliver in 2020, 2030 and 2050. It aims to provide European policymakers with a clear understanding of the significant contribution wind energy can make in terms of energy security, carbon dioxide reductions and employment, ahead of the publication of the European Commission's 2050 Energy Roadmap, due this fall.
The report shows that by 2020, most EU countries will have at least tripled their wind power capacity and reached a total installed capacity of 230 GW, which would provide 15.7% of EU electricity depending on demand. By the end of 2010, 84 GW of wind energy capacity was operating in Europe, meeting 5.3% of EU power demand.
By 2030, EWEA expects 400 GW of wind to be operating in the EU, providing 28.5% of EU electricity depending on demand.
The report also shows that wind power could provide 50% of the EU electricity supply by 2050.
‘Annual wind power investments in the EU will double from 13 billion euros in 2010 to 27 billion euros in 2020,’ says Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA. ‘This will make a very substantial contribution to meeting Europe's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the short timeframe provided by the scientific community.’
