EWEA puts wind at a quarter of EU demand by 2030

OREANDA-NEWS. September 18, 2015. European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) forecasts wind power could meet 24.4pc (778TWh) of electricity demand in the EU by 2030, if EU countries live up to their climate and energy commitments.

The EWEA expects wind power capacity to grow by 2030 to 254GW onshore and 66GW offshore. It estimates that wind power will curb 436mn t of CO2 emissions.

According to the EWEA's projections, Germany at 80GW and 25pc of EU capacity in 2030, Spain at 45GW and 14pc, UK at 40GW and 12pc, along with France at 35GW and 11pc will account for more than 60pc of the EU's installed wind capacity in 2030. Currently 128.8GW of wind power capacity covers some 10pc of European power consumption in a normal year.

Previous EWEA projections, made in 2011, forecast wind energy covering 28.5pc of EU electricity demand in 2030 with 250GW of onshore and 150GW of offshore wind energy capacity.

EWEA updated its projections on the basis of EU leaders agreeing in October 2014 on a target for 2030 of at least 27pc renewables in final energy consumption at European levels. Reaching 27pc renewables is estimated to entail 46-49pc of electricity being generated by renewables.

Unlike the EU's 2009 renewables directive, there are no mandatory national renewable goals for 2030. The EWEA sees this as leading to questions as to how individual countries meet the EU-level target and whether the European Commission can oversee its achievement.

The EWEA calls for a strong EU legal foundation for renewables after 2020, a reformed power market enabling renewable energy integration and a revitalised emissions trading system that provides clear signals to investors in lower carbon technologies.