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jpak

(41,742 posts)
Fri May 4, 2012, 03:53 PM May 2012

Utilities boost investments in offshore wind power

http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-05-02/industries/31525657_1_offshore-wind-wind-industry-global-wind-energy-council

LONDON (MarketWatch) — Electricity to power European televisions and toasters will increasingly come from energy generated at sea as utility companies shore up offshore wind-energy capacity amid rising fossil-fuel prices and political pressure.

Over the past three years, yearly installed capacity from offshore wind turbines has more than doubled in Europe to 866 megawatts in 2011, exceeding growth rates for its onshore counterpart, according to the European Wind Energy Association, or EWEA.

New onshore installations rose only 10% in the same period. Further, in 2011, new installed capacity at sea accounted for 10% of the total new installations in the European Union, up from 5% in 2008.

“In the North Sea alone we have a potential to economically exploit the offshore resources to cover seven times Europe’s total energy consumption,” said Christian Kjaer, chief executive at European Wind Energy Association. “We wouldn’t have to import fuel if we can tap into that.”

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Utilities boost investments in offshore wind power (Original Post) jpak May 2012 OP
the new North Sea "oil" - good for them, now if the USA would join the party nt msongs May 2012 #1
The North Sea, like the east coast of the US is an excellent area for siting turbines FogerRox May 2012 #2

FogerRox

(13,211 posts)
2. The North Sea, like the east coast of the US is an excellent area for siting turbines
Sat May 5, 2012, 12:35 AM
May 2012

Not too deep and lots of wind, perfect for HVDC & turbines.

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