Growth in German wind energy 20% below forecast

Germany installed nearly 20 per cent less new wind capacity during 2010 than forecast 12 months previously Latest data collected by the German Wind Energy Institute showed that some 1,551 MW of capacity was built last year against an expected figure of 1,900 MW.

Thorsten Herdan of VDMA Power Systems said this meant the German market had fallen back to its 1999 level. He blamed the "knock-on effects of the financial crisis on major projects and uncertainties regarding the grid requirements that apply to wind turbines."

A total of 21,607 wind turbines with an overall capacity of 27,214 MW was in service in Germany at the end of 2010.

www.utilityweek.co.uk