MORE than 100 new offshore wind turbines have been fully connected to the grid during the first six months of this year alone, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).
The 118 units have a collective capacity of 333 megawatts (MW), which is more than half the 577MW installed offshore last year. In addition, 151 turbines (440MW) were installed but not yet connected to the grid.
EWEA says this shows continuing strong growth in offshore wind power despite the financial crisis, although the association warns that the fast-growing sector is being held back by the impacts of the credit crunch and recession.
Overall, 16 offshore windfarms totalling 3,972MW are under construction or have been completed so far this year. Of these, four have become operational – Poseidon in Denmark; Alpha Ventus in Germany, and Gunfleet Sands and Robin Rigg in the UK.
To date, in Europe, there are 948 offshore wind turbines in 43 fully operational offshore windfarms with a total capacity of 2,396MW.
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