Renewables news

The European Wind Energy Association has just published 2011 data on wind energy.  Wind power capacity of 9616 MW was installed in the EU in 2011, at a value of €12.6 billion.  This was down only slightly from 2010, when 9648 MW was installed.  Wind power represented 21.4 % of total power capacity installations in 2011 and renewable energy (including solar) accounted for 71.3 % of new capacity in 2011.  Renewables accounted for 32, 043 MW out of a total expansion of 44,939 MW.

Germany led all other member states with 2086 MW installed last year.  Next was the UK with 1293 MW installed, followed by Spain with 1050 MW.

Solar PV led all capacity expansion, with 21,000 MW installed. Natural gas came just ahead of wind, with 9718 MW.

Wind power capacity increased 1995-2011 at an annual average rate of 15.6%, from 814 MW to 9616 MW.  There is now a total of 93,957 MW installed in the EU.  In 2011, wind capacity provided 6.3 % of total electricity consumption, up from 5.3% in 2010.

The report was issued in early February, just as the Chief Financial Officer of Vestas, the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, resigned because of an operating loss of €60 million in 2011 and profit warnings.  The Chairman of the Board and two other board members will not seek re-election in March, as part of a shake up.  Vestas predicts difficulties this year, when a favourable tax credit in the US expires.  That could lead to 1,600 job losses in their US factories. The company is also worried that Spain will not be able to keep up the pace of installation, in large part because of the financial crisis.

Added to Vestas’ problems are the significant changes in the wind turbine industry, with many new players starting operations, such as: Siemens Wind Power, GE Energy, China’s Zinjiang Goldwind Science and Sinovel Wind Group.  Nevertheless, Vestas still maintains 25 % of the global market.

La France dans le vent

France, which gets about 80% of its electricity from nuclear, one-third of the French intend to install renewable energy, according to a recent survey.  This represents an increase of 25% since last year, explained in large part by significant increases in electricity bills with no sign of price rises abating.  The Commission of Energy Regulation announced in January that the price of electricity could increase 30% from now to 2016. This has consumers, as one said, pre-occupied with energy savings.  Of course, there were other factors at play, including the nuclear accident at Fukushima, the lowering of tariffs for photovoltaics, and a tax credit for sustainable development.  Importantly, 73% had confidence in renewable energy technologies, particularly chimney inserts for using wood,  followed by wood stoves, solar hot water heating and heat pumps.

Renewable progress in happy faces (and sad)

Finally, a quick reminder of the progress of Member States in meeting their obligations under the Renewable Energy Directive.  This table is available on the Commission’s website.  It’s still quite a mixed picture.