EWEA Sets Bigger Wind Power Target for Europe

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) announced that it has increased its European targets for the wind industry. Achieving the target means that wind power will provide electricity equal to the needs of 86 million Europeans, deliver one third of all new electricity generation capacity and meet one third of the total Kyoto commitment of the European Union (EU) by 2010.

Brussels, Belgium – October 8, 2003 [SolarAccess.com] EWEA President Professor Arthouros Zervos, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Mecthild Rothe, and MEP Claude Turmes were among the speakers at the launch of the EWEA briefing in the European Parliament. “Keeping on target will ensure that over this decade wind power will become one of the most important electricity generating technologies,” said Zervos. “Europe’s global leadership in wind power technology will be reinforced. The 75 GW target will ensure the industry continues to advance the technology, further reduce costs, create thousands of jobs and export opportunities and contribute substantially to security of supply.” According to EWEA, Europe’s commitment to wind power technology is strong, as last year, 90 percent of the €6.8 billion (US$8 billion) global market was supplied by European manufacturers. Over the last five years the average annual growth rate in the sector has been 35 percent. “It is the success of wind power to date in Europe that proves this target can be achieved,” said Zervos. “The previous industry targets have been exceeded. This target for wind power will deliver half of the Renewables Directive.” The Renewables Directive entered into force on October, 27 2001 aims at increasing the share of electricity from renewable energy sources from 14 percent in 1997 to 22 percent by 2010. It sets indicative targets for the share of electricity from renewable energy for all member states. “There is little evidence that the overall target of 22 percent renewable electricity will be met even with the revised target for wind power, if the less active member states do not change their national policy accordingly,” said Rothe. “Only a fraction of the member states are currently on track to meet their national Directive targets for renewables.” By 2020, the EWEA target for 180,000 MW of wind power will generate enough power for 195 million people. The environment and the economic benefits will be significant: by the end of the decade wind power will have saved the emissions of over half a billion tons of carbon dioxide and €13 billion in avoided fuel costs. “The industry has the skills and ability to build 75 GW of wind by 2010,” said Zervos. “25GW has already been built in Europe. The target is achievable and conservative, as long as the clear commitment of the EU and Member States to wind power development continues to strengthen, and that this support is translated into construction of wind farms.” Wind power targets for Europe, 75,000 MW by 2010. Policy briefing published by EWEA set a wind power target for Europe of 75,000 MW by 2010. Currently 278 MW (1.1 percent) of wind power is installed in 11 non-EU countries, compared to 24,626 MW installed in the EU. In 2004 EWEA will look at setting targets for wind power in the Accession countries. “With the Irish and the Dutch Presidencies ahead in 2004 we will have the opportunity to unite forces with two North Sea countries in the promotion of offshore wind energy on a European level,” said Turmes.