EU wind power capacity accounted for just over 21% of all newly installed power capacity in 2011, European wind energy association EWEA said Monday.
"In 2011, 9,616 MW of wind energy capacity was installed in the EU, making a total of 93,957 MW–enough to supply 6.3% of the EU's electricity," EWEA said in a statement.
More renewable power capacity was installed during 2011 than any other year. Wind power accounted for 21.4% of total 2011 power capacity installations while overall renewable power installations accounted for 71.3%, an increase of 37.7% on 2010 installations, EWEA said.
Growth in newly installed capacity in the wind sector over the last 17 years has remained constant, with an average annual growth rate of 15.6% from 1995 to 2011.
2010 figures were at similar levels to 2011, at 9,648 MW. Both fuel oil and nuclear power saw a drop in 2011, with more capacity decommissioned than installed, EWEA said.
"Despite the economic crisis gripping Europe, the wind industry is still installing solid levels of new capacity," EWEA policy director Justin Wilkes said.
A decrease in new installations in more mature wind markets such as France and Spain was offset by growth in onshore installations in Germany and Sweden, offshore installations in the UK, and continuing strong performances from emerging onshore markets such as Romania, EWEA said.
Overall, Germany remains the EU country with the largest installed capacity, followed by Spain, France, Italy and the UK.
Last year, the EU's total installed net power capacity increased by 35,468 MW to 895,878 MW, with wind power increasing its share of installed capacity to 10.5%, and renewable capacity increasing its share to 31.1%.
Since 2000, 28.2% of new capacity installed has been wind power, 47.8% renewables, and 90.8% renewables and gas combined, EWEA said.
