Wind power continues to grow in 2004 in the EU, but faces constraints of grid and administrative barriers
Brussels, 27th January 2005 - Industry statistics released today for the EU wind energy market show that cumulative wind power capacity increased by 20% to 34,205 MW at the end of 2004, up from 28,568 MW at the end of 2003. 5,703 MW of wind power capacity were installed last year, representing a wind turbine manufacturing turnover of some € 5.7 billion. Download
DENA Study: Optimal integration of wind energy into the grid is possible
Misinterpretations must be avoidedStill no agreement on final approval of network reportBerlin, 18 January 2005 --- The results of the DENA (German Energy Agency/Deutsche Energie Agentur) grid study Integration der Windenergie in das Verbundnetz (Integration of wind energy into the grid) were discussed into the early hours of the morning today. Unfortunately, those who commissioned the study have still not been able to reach agreement on final approval.Download: press release
Domestic sales down, exports up for German-made wind energy turbines
Frankfurt/Osnabrueck, Germany. Between January and September 2004, 653 wind energy turbines with a total capacity of 1,090 MW were newly installed in Germany. During the same period last year, 906 turbines (1,414 MW) went on line. That’s a year-on drop of 23% in installed capacity. The quarterly figures for 2004, commissioned by the German Wind Energy Association (BWE) and the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) from the German Wind Energy Institute (DEWI), demonstrate a continued decrease in the domestic wind energy market.Download: press release incl. appendix
Renewable Energies Law (EEG) comes into force
Investment security for wind industry again Berlin, 1 August 2004. With the publication in the Federal Law Gazette on 1st August 2004 the amended Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) has come into force. Thus investment security has been created again for a whole industry after a long period of struggle. “Having finished this discussion the way for more clean electricity, more investments and new jobs has finally been opened”, Dr. Peter Ahmels, president of the Federal Wind Energy Association (BWE) said.Download: wording of the lawDownload: EEG amendment
Wind energy industry creates jobs
In 2003 the number of employees in the wind industry amounted to a total of 45,400. This figure follows from a BWE study: about 37,200 people are working in the production and installation of new wind turbines. Most of them are employed in the supply industry. Further 8,200 jobs can be found in company` s management and maintenance.
Wind energy plants with 731 MW capacity installed in the first half-year 2004
6,5 per cent of the German power consumption can be covered by wind-electricity Osnabruck, 15 July 2004. In the first half-year 2004 436 new wind power plants with a gross capacity of 731.4 MW have been installed in Germany. Thus almost every second day five new turbines have been built up. Altogether there were working 15,800 wind energy plants at the end of June with a capacity of 15,239 MW. In an average wind year they are able to produce 30.9 Billion KW/h of clean electricity. This figure corresponds to a share of 6.55 per cent of the electricity consumption. In Schleswig-Holstein wind electricity arithmetically covers already more than 36 per cent of the electricity consumption in this federal state. The Federal Wind Energy Association (BWE) expects an additional installation of 2,200 to 2,500 MW in Germany over the whole year.
Download: Figures 2004
