In 2008, more wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity generating technology.
Statistics released by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) show that 43% of all new electricity generating capacity built in the European Union last year was wind energy, exceeding all other technologies including gas, coal and nuclear power. A total of 19,651MW of new power capacity was constructed in the EU last year. Out of this, 8,484MW (43%) was wind power; 6,932MW (35%) gas; 2,495MW (13%) oil; 762MW (4%) coal and 473MW (2%) hydro power capacity. For the first time, wind energy is the leading technology in Europe. A total of 64,949MW of installed wind energy capacity was operating in the EU by end 2008, 15% higher than in 2007.
