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Marex
2019-02-06 18:29:46
Europe has installed 2.6 GW of new offshore wind capacity in 2018, according to statistics published by WindEurope. This is an 18% increase in Europe's offshore wind capacity.
15 new offshore wind farms have come online. The United Kingdom and Germany represent 85% of the new capacity: 1.3 GW and 969 MW, respectively. Europe now has 105 offshore wind farms in 11 countries, with a total capacity of 18.5 GW. This represents about 10% of the total installed wind energy capacity in Europe, the rest being ashore.
The size and scale of offshore wind continues to increase. The average size of new turbines installed last year was 6.8 MW, 15% more than in 2017. The UK has installed the world's largest offshore wind turbine, 8.8 MW, and opened the the largest wind farm in the world, the Walney 3 extension, 657 MW. Belgium and Germany have also opened their largest wind farms so far. Six other offshore wind farms are currently under construction in Europe, including the world's first 1 GW offshore wind farm – Hornsea 1 in the UK.
Then, 12 new offshore wind projects reached the final investment decision in 2018. They represent an additional capacity of 4.2 GW and an investment of 10.3 billion euros ($ 11.7 billion). ). The amount invested increased by 37% compared to 2017, but the capacity covered increased by 91%, proof of the speed with which costs are falling.
Offshore wind now accounts for two percent of all electricity consumed in Europe, and more governments are recognizing the benefits of offshore wind. Poland is the latest to start with a construction project of 10 GW by 2040. However, Sweden does not build offshore wind despite significant potential, France has no wind farms offshore and Germany has only a modest goal for 2030.
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