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7485 MWp in 2011. Photovoltaic energy currently accounts for 4.6 % of the gross
production of electricity in Germany, after the wind (7.3 %) and all sectors of bio-
mass (5.8 %), but ahead of hydropower (3.3 %). In 2012, the photovoltaic market in
Italy has exceeded expectations with an aggregate photovoltaic capacity connected
to the grid of 16,350 MWp at the end of 2012, i.e., 3577 MWp more than 2011. The
cumulative power in the EU in 2012 was 68,647 MWp: the production is currently
three times higher than that of 2010 and photovoltaic energy accounts for over 2 %
of electricity consumption in the EU. The forecast for 2020 is quite optimistic.
The European Photovoltaic Industry Association, in its publication in September
2012, “Connecting the sun” shows a contribution of 12 % of photovoltaic in 2020
and 25 % in 2030 to EU demand. In comparison, the scenario of NREAP includes
a contribution of 2.4 % in 2020, equivalent to 83.4 TWh of production and an in-
stalled capacity of 84,376 MW. Actually, with current trends, it should be reached
the threshold of 100 GWP by 2015.
4.2.3
Wind Power in EU Countries
The wind power installed and connected to the grid in the EU in 2012 has been
11,840 MW, enabling the EU to exceed the threshold of 100 GW of installed
capacity (105,635 MW). In 2012, the major producing countries of wind were
Spain, Germany, UK, Italy, France, Portugal, and Denmark. In particular, the first
three countries have provided 57.7 % of the EU wind power production. Germany
has 2439.5 MW installed in 2012, bringing the wind power of the German park
to 31,331.9 MW. The repowering of power plants allows to obtain an increase in
power generation, amounting to 18% in the German market. In 2012, the UK has
connected more wind power offshore and onshore. In 2012, the UK has increased
its wind power in operation of 1853.9 MW, of which 1156.4 MW is offshore. Spain
has seen a wind power capacity in 2012 that amounted to 22,579 MW, compared
to 21,239 MW in 2011 and it is the second EU country for wind power installed.
In 2012, Italy has been the fourth EU wind energy market; according to the Na-
tional Association of Wind Energy (ANEV), Italy has installed 1272 MW in 2012,
bringing the installed power of Italian wind farm to 8144 MW. In France, the
situation is less thriving: the connection of new wind power in 2012 amounted to
757 MW, which corresponds to the third consecutive year of decline in the market.
The reason for this decline is to be found in the accumulation of bureaucratic and
administrative procedures that have slowed the growth of the sector. However,
France has one of the largest wind potential in Europe and then the wind should be
further exploited. Poland is currently one of the most active markets in the EU; ac-
cording to the Institute for Renewable Energy, the country has installed 884 MW
during 2012, bringing the power of Polish wind farm to 2500 MW. Overall in
2012, the EU wind energy market has exceeded expectations, although as early as
2013 there was a slower pace due to the economic uncertainty that has character-
ized the EU and led a number of governments to revise their incentive systems
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