Wind accounted for 51% of all new power installations in 2016, connecting a total of 12.5GW to the grid across the 28 EU Member States – 10.923MW in onshore and 1,567MW offshore. Total wind capacity in Europe now stands at 153.7GW. Wind energy covered 10.4% of Europe’s electricity needs last year.
Germany installed the most new wind power: 44% of the EU total. Five Member States had a record year: France, the Netherlands, Finland, Ireland and Lithuania. Renewables altogether accounted for 86% of new EU power plant installations in 2016 - 21.1GW of 24.5GW. Investment in new onshore and offshore wind farms reached a record €27.5 billion. Offshore wind investments rose 39% year on year to €18.2 billion, while onshore investments were down 29% at €9.3 billion.