t24.com.tr
Europe's Onshore Wind Power Capacity Expansion in 2024
In 2024, Europe installed 16.4 gigawatts of new wind power capacity, with Germany leading in onshore additions at 3.2 gigawatts, followed by Finland, Turkey, Spain, and France; the EU's new capacity generated 475 terawatt-hours of electricity, meeting 19 percent of its total demand.
- What was the total amount of new wind power capacity installed in Europe last year, and how much of that came from onshore wind sources?
- Germany added the most onshore wind power capacity to its grid last year, with 3.2 gigawatts. This was followed by Finland (1.4 gigawatts), Turkey (1.3 gigawatts), Spain (1.1 gigawatts), and France (1 gigawatt). Overall, Europe saw 16.4 gigawatts of new wind power capacity installed in 2024.
- Which countries led in onshore wind capacity additions and turbine installations in Europe last year, and what were their respective contributions?
- The European Union's contribution to this increase was 12.9 gigawatts, almost entirely from onshore wind. This new capacity generated 475 terawatt-hours of electricity, meeting 19 percent of the EU's total demand. Germany led in turbine installations, with 644 new turbines.
- What are the projections for European wind power capacity additions between 2025 and 2030, and how does the expected distribution between onshore and offshore sources reflect current technological trends and investment strategies?
- Looking ahead, Europe expects to add roughly 186 gigawatts of new wind power capacity between 2025 and 2030, with 75 percent projected to be onshore. Onshore wind turbine capacity averaged 4.6 megawatts last year, compared to 10.1 megawatts for offshore turbines. This disparity in capacity highlights the ongoing development and investment in offshore wind technology.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely neutral, presenting data on wind energy capacity expansion across several European countries. The emphasis on the ranking of countries by capacity addition might subtly favor a competitive narrative, but this is not overly prominent.
Bias by Omission
The report focuses on capacity additions and turbine numbers, omitting information about the overall economic impact, environmental effects, and social implications of this wind energy expansion. It also lacks detail regarding the geographical distribution of these installations within each country. The omission of a critical analysis of the environmental impact of this rapid expansion is significant.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights significant growth in wind energy capacity across Europe, contributing to renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This directly supports the transition to cleaner energy sources, a key aspect of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The increase in wind energy capacity reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves energy security. Specific examples cited include Germany adding 3.2 gigawatts of capacity and the EU adding 12.9 gigawatts, representing a substantial advancement toward renewable energy targets.