Record 17 GW of wind power capacity added in the EU in 2023

Largest European wind energy association, WindEurope, announced that the record 17 GW of wind power capacity was added in the EU in 2023. The organization, however, noted that the pace of development is still too slow to meet the 2030 targets.

According to the association, 14 GW of onshore wind power capacity and 3 GW of offshore wind power capacity were added in the EU last year. This is the largest annual increase in installed capacity in history. Wind turbines supplied 19 percent of the electricity generated in the EU in 2023.

WindEurope also noted that the productivity of wind turbines is increasing. The capacity factor for onshore wind farms ranges from 30-48 percent, while new offshore wind farms typically have a capacity factor of over 50 percent.

According to WindEurope, Germany had the most new wind farms added in 2023, followed by the Netherlands and Sweden. The "Hollandse Kust Zuid" offshore wind farm, which is currently the largest offshore wind farm in the world with a capacity of 1.5 GW, was commissioned in Dutch waters of the North Sea.

(PAP)