Pure Power - Wind Energy Scenarios Up to 2030

In its latest report the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) outlines the road towards large-scale wind energy. Presenting three development scenarios for 2010, 2020 and 2030, the report examines in detail the probable impact on electricity, greenhouse gas emissions and the EU economy.

Pure Power - Wind Energy Scenarios up to 2030 (click for pdf) confirms the positive prospects of a technology that last year became the leader in terms of net power capacity additions in the EU. Wind power's share of new generating capacity is forecasted to be 34% in the period 2005-2020 and 46% in the decade leading up to 2030. Wind power's share of new capacity in Europe in the 25-year period 2005-2030 is 39%.

The study shows that the European Commission’s goal of increasing wind power's share up to 12-14% by 2020 is within reach. The wind industry target of 180 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 is equivalent to supplying the electricity needs of 107 million average EU households.

"On average, wind power capacity needs to increase by 9.5 GW per year over the next 13 years to reach 180 GW and meet 12-14% of EU power demand in 2020. This is certainly achievable considering that the EU wind energy capacity increased by 8.5 GW last year" said Christian Kjaer, EWEA's Chief Executive.