Europe - Offshore wind energy sector 'grows 54% in 2009

Growth of 54 per cent was registered in offshore wind installation taking place across Europe last year and the region now has 828 operating wind turbines in total, a new report shows.

Figures from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) reveal that the sector is growing rapidly, with 577 megawatts (MW) of development in 2009, up from 373MW the previous 12 months.

In 2009, eight new offshore wind farms were constructed, while ten schemes are expected to reach completion in 2010, adding 1,000MW to the network, a 75 per cent increase on 2009.

Building work has begun on a total of 17 new offshore wind farms in Europe, which will generate an estimated 3,500MW of energy when completed, with half of the developments based in UK waters.

The EWEA recently welcomed an announcement by the British government that it has approved the development of nine offshore wind projects with an overall capacity of more than 32 gigawatts, calling it a "significant step forward" for the industry.

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