Job Creation: EU Wind Capacity 50% Increase

And reasons for that 'job creation' are self explanatory and many!

50% rise in offshore wind capacity in EU over last year

18 July 2012 - According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), 132 new offshore wind turbines, totalling 523.2 megawatts (MW) were fully grid connected in Europe in the first six months of 2012. This is a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2011 when 348.1 MW were installed.

EWEA has just published its “European offshore wind industry - key trends and statistics 1st half 2012”, which show that the European offshore wind industry remained buoyant during the last six months.

"50 per cent more offshore wind power capacity was installed in Europe in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year, despite the economic and financial turmoil,” explains Christian Kjaer, EWEA’s Chief Executive Officer.

EWEA states that 2012 could turn out to be the best year ever for offshore wind energy in Europe, as a further 160 turbines, totalling 647.4 MW, are built but awaiting grid connection. This is subject to weather conditions at sea and grid connection delays.

A total of 4,336 MW offshore wind capacity was operating as of 30 June 2012 – up from 3,294 MW in June 2011 – producing electricity for the equivalent of 4 million households. read more>>>