Wind breezes in
The generating capacity of wind power increased by 154 per cent in the four years from 2000 to 2004, according to new figures on the state of the EU's electricity market, issued by Eurostat, the EU's statistical office. Wind power now accounts for more than half of the new generating capacity in the EU. Wind power is now the fourth most popular form of energy generator in the EU, with five per cent of production. Fossil fuels remain top, with 58 per cent of production, nuclear power second at 19 per cent, and hydroelectric third at 18 per cent. Four countries - the UK, Germany, Italy and France - together account for 57.4 per cent of the total energy produced in the EU. Germany is the EU's market leader in wind power, with around half of the EU's total installed wind power capacity. This mirrors the enthusiasm for new forms of energy in Germany, which also has the bulk of the EU's photovoltaic energy production. The report also notes the effects of cross-border trade in energy. The UK has the largest number of major (supplying at least 5 per cent of the country's electricity) suppliers at seven, while Germany, Austria, Poland and Finland each have five major suppliers. However, France is the EU's leading exporter of electricity, exporting more than 62,040 GWh of power (62 billion MWh). The Czech Republic was the second largest exporter, with 15,717 GWh of power. Some 15 of the EU 25 countries are net importers of energy. The largest importer is Italy, importing 45,635 GWh of power in 2004, followed by the Netherlands, importing 16,217 GWh of power. //CPA For further information, please click here