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More new wind power capacity was installed in the EU in 2009 than any other electricity-generating technology, new statistics published today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) reveal. 39% of all new capacity installed in 2009 was wind power, followed by gas (26%) and solar photovoltaics (16%). Europe decommissioned more coal and nuclear capacity than it installed in 2009. Taken together, renewable energy technologies account for 61% of new power generating capacity in 2009. Investment in new European wind farms in 2009 reached €13 billion, including €1.5 billion offshore. 10,163 MW of wind power capacity was installed across the European Union - a 23% increase compared to 2008 installations - made up of 9,581 MW onshore (up 21% from last year) and 582 MW offshore (up 56% from last year).

2009 is the second year running that more wind power capacity has been installed than any other electricity-generating technology, and wind's share of newly installed capacity increased from 35% in 2008 to 39% in 2009. It is also the second year running that renewable energies have accounted for the majority of new investments. "It is a remarkable result in a difficult year" said Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA. "The figures, once again, confirm that wind power, together with other renewable energy technologies and a shift from coal to gas, are delivering massive European carbon reductions, while creating much needed economic activity and new jobs for Europe's citizens." The countries with the biggest share of new capacity installed in 2009 were Spain (24% - 2459 MW), followed by Germany (19% - 1917 MW), Italy (11% - 1114 MW), France (11% - 1088 MW) and the UK (10% - 1077 MW).

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Turkey must exploit its huge wind energy resources if it wants to meet its increasing power demand while becoming less dependent on energy imports, delegates heard today at a workshop on integrating wind power in Ankara. The workshop, organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) in cooperation with the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TWEA/TÜREB), brough over 300 representatives from industry, government and national electricity companies together to discuss the potential for wind power development in the country. Turkey's installed wind capacity tripled during 2007 from 50 MW to almost 150 MW. It tripled again during 2008 to reach 433 installed MW, and by the end of 2009 it had almost doubled to 801 MW. Moreover, the government announced a 30% objective for renewable energies by 2023 with plans to push wind energy up to 20,000 MW of installations for the same year.

"With an average growth in power demand of 8% each year, this means that if the 20,000 MW target is met, wind power will cover one fifth of Turkey's power demand by 2023" said Christian Kjaer, Chief Executive of EWEA. "Wind is clean, indigenous and above all can start producing power quickly - crucial for a country whose power demand is soaring. With huge wind energy potential, ambitious government targets and a recent track-record of rapid wind energy growth, Turkey could be one of the future wind energy movers and shakers, but numerous administrative hurdles must be overcome to attract more investments and manufacturing to the country."

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Grontmij has won a major contract to create a modern and environmentally sound waste management system in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Through close collaboration between consultants from Denmark and Sweden, Grontmij will deliver world-leading Nordic excellence in the field. The project is part of the aid-financed development cooperation that Sweden has with Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to reduce the environmental and health risks in the country with the aim of eventually qualifying for EU membership. The contract is worth € 2.4 million for Grontmij and will run for just over 4 years. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) assists in the creation of an effective system of waste management in the country. Grontmij has been appointed to advise and support at both the municipal and state level. "Securing this contract represents our combined expertise within Grontmij to deliver a substantial-capacity building in Bosnia-Herzegovina along with a modern and environmentally sound waste recycling programme. As a group-wide project, this is another example of how our cross-border collaboration strengthens our ability to win complex international assignments", says Sylvo Thijsen, Grontmij N.V. CEO.

Source: Grontmij

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Having delayed for years, the UK government is finally set to implement a financial incentive scheme for solar energy. Under the proposal, which is due to become law in the first quarter of 2010, electricity produced from solar energy will receive a guaranteed price per unit. This guaranteed price, called a feed-in tariff, aims to remove the uncertainty around price that has hampered growth in the industry for many years. By taking this step, Britain is finally following the example of other major European economies like Germany, France and Italy. At a solar energy conference in London later this year, UK and international experts will talk about the prospects of the solar PV industry in the UK. The conference, scheduled for 22 June 2010, will act as a platform, with networking opportunities for UK and international business executives. Major stakeholders, from regulators to industry experts and financiers, will be discussing their expectations.

While other European solar energy markets have been thriving in the last five years, the UK market for solar electricity (also known as photovoltaics, or simply PV) has remained small and is still in its infancy. But all this is about to change. The new feed-in tariffs are scheduled to come into effect by 1 April 2010. The photovoltaic industry expects growth to kick in quickly after that date. More than 50 solar companies around the UK are eagerly waiting for the law to be finally passed in the House of Commons in April 2010. "Other countries in Europe have shown how quickly clear framework conditions can translate into growth. We are now ready for growth in the UK as well, and hope that other stakeholders like the financial institutions will also see the opportunity," says Joachim Gerhard, a London-based solar energy consultant.

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The EU has set itself an enormous green energy policy challenge over the next decade which will involve massive capital investment into new technologies, huge investment in grid infrastructure, as well as replacement of existing capacity as older plants reach the end of their life. But with the economy now once again in growth and thus the demand for Energy rising, will such massive change be effected as suppliers turn back to fossil fuels to meet new demands? Michael Lewis, Managing Director Europe for E-On assesses such a question and will announce his findings in his keynote at this year's illustrious NGU Summit in Bremen Germany next month. The Summit (run by GDS International) has been the home for the Utility elite for many years, and this meeting is no different with a consortium led by, Dominique Fache, Chairman, ENEL, Kevin McCollough, COO, RWE, Eddie O'Conner, CEO, Mainstream Renewable Power, and Alan Thompson, Head of Renewable Centrica.