Future of Wind Energy - Wind Energy Systems for Electric Power Generation - page 171

Fig. 8.5 EU electricity projection by 2020

In Europe the European Commission put forward an integrated energy/climate
change proposal January 2007, addressing the issues of energy supply, climate
change and industrial development. Renewable energy plays its role in the three
sectors of electricity, heating and cooling, and transport [CEC08]. A plan was for-
mulated calling for:

- 20% increase in energy efficiency
- 20% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- 20% share of renewables in overall EU energy consumption by 2020
- 10% biofuel component in vehicle fuel by 2020

To achieve a 20% share of renewables by 2020 will require major efforts across
all sectors of the economy and by all Member States. In the proposed EU Directive
it is up to the Member States to decide on the mix of contributions from these sectors
to reach their national targets.
In a Renewable Energy Technology Roadmap a projection was made of the
composition of renewables for Europe up to 2020 [CEC07]. Figure 8.5 indicates
that hydro, traditionally the main renewable energy form for electricity genera-
tion, will see almost no further increase. Wind energy will reach and surpass hy-
dro, with offshore wind showing the largest increase rates. The so-called RES-E
projection, based on 2004 values, estimates a factor of about 2,5 in consumption
until 2020.
The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) estimates that EU installed
wind power capacity will reach 80 GW in 2010 and 180 GW by 2020. This would
cover more than 12% of Europe's electricity demand. Offshore wind parks would
reach installed power ratings up to 1000 MW, the size of conventional power plants.
Turnover and employment in wind industry will reach values of importance for
national economies; estimated is a turnover of 185 10 9 EUR between 2006 and

2020, and around 200000 direct and indirect employees in the EU-25 by 2020.
[EREC07].

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