Published on 09 February 2017
Overview
Europe installed 12.5 GW of gross additional wind capacity in 2016. This was 3% less than the new installations in 2015. With a total installed capacity of 153.7 GW, wind energy now overtakes coal as the second largest form of power generation capacity in Europe.
2016 annual figures
12.5 GW of new wind power capacity was installed and grid-connected in the EU during 2016, a decrease of 3% compared to 2015 annual installations. 10,923 MW were installed onshore, and 1,567 MW were installed offshore.
Wind power installed more than any other form of power generation in Europe in 2016. Wind power accounted for 51% of total power capacity installations.
Renewable energy accounted for 86% of all new EU power installations in 2016: 21.1 GW of a total 24.5 GW of new power capacity.
With almost 300 TWh generated in 2016, wind power covered 10.4 % of the EU's electricity demand.
€27.5 billion were invested in 2016 to finance wind energy development. This was 5% more than the total investment in 2015.
2016 annual figures
12.5 GW of new wind power capacity was installed and grid-connected in the EU during 2016, a decrease of 3% compared to 2015 annual installations. 10,923 MW were installed onshore, and 1,567 MW were installed offshore.
Wind power installed more than any other form of power generation in Europe in 2016. Wind power accounted for 51% of total power capacity installations.
Renewable energy accounted for 86% of all new EU power installations in 2016: 21.1 GW of a total 24.5 GW of new power capacity.
With almost 300 TWh generated in 2016, wind power covered 10.4 % of the EU's electricity demand.
€27.5 billion were invested in 2016 to finance wind energy development. This was 5% more than the total investment in 2015.
Findings
1
12.5 GW of new wind power capacity was installed and grid-connected in the EU during 2016, a decrease of 3% compared to 2015 annual installations. 10,923 MW were installed onshore, and 1,567 MW were installed offshore.
2
Wind power installed more than any other form of power generation in Europe in 2016. Wind power accounted for 51% of total power capacity installations.
3
Renewable energy accounted for 86% of all new EU power installations in 2016: 21.1 GW of a total 24.5 GW of new power capacity.
4
With almost 300 TWh generated in 2016, wind power covered 10.4 % of the EU's electricity demand.
5
€27.5 billion were invested in 2016 to finance wind energy development. This was 5% more than the total investment in 2015.
