The European wind energy industry installed more new capacity than gas and coal combined in 2014, with a total of 11,791 MW added to the grid across the 28 Member States compared to 3,305 MW and 2,338 MW respectively for coal and gas, according to figures in the Wind in Power 2014 report published by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) in February.

In this respect, wind is reflecting the general trend for renewables in new energy installations. Renewable power plants accounted for 79.1% of new installations during 2014; 21.3GW of a total 26.9GW. Today, grid-connected wind power is enough to cover 10% of the EU's electricity consumption, up from 8% the year before.

Commenting on this dynamic, former EWEA CEO Thomas Becker said that the numbers show Europe's continued commitment to renewable and wind energy. At the same time he warned that there is no room for complacency. “The uncertainty over the regulatory framework for the energy sector is a threat to the continued drive toward sustainable and homegrown energy that will guarantee Europe's energy security and competitiveness for the long-term," he said.

However, he also noted that Europe was at a turning point for investment in renewables and particularly wind. “Plowing financial capital into the industries of old in Europe is beginning to look unwise. By contrast, renewables are pushing ahead and investments in wind remain attractive."

On a country-by-country breakdown, Germany and the United Kingdom accounted for 59.5% of total EU wind energy installations in 2014, installing 5,279MW and 1,736MW respectively.

For more information:
http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/files/library/publications/statistics/EWEA-Annual-Statistics-2014.pdf