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Wind-energy potential in Europe 2020-2030
ETC/ACC Technical Paper 2008/6

Released: 2009/11/02: See the report

Abstract
This paper addresses the potential for wind energy in Europe in the future, with a time horizon up to 2030. Indicative quantitative estimates of the technical and economic potential, both on shore and offshore, are presented geographically, taking into account climatologic, technical, and economic criteria. How environmental and social factors further impose constraints on the actual potential is discussed in a qualitative way and estimates of their constraining effect are presented based on the current practice of forerunner member states. The technical potential by 2020 could be as much as 50,000 TWh onshore and 25,000 TWh offshore - enough to cover the anticipated electricity demand in Europe 15 times by that time. Taking into account economic feasibility, the economic potential could deliver more than 8 times Europe’s anticipated electricity by 2030, at a cost below 6.7 eurocent per kWh. The market potential, however is significant lower due to social, institutional or environmental constraints.

Prepared by: Hans Eerens (PBL) and Erica de Visser(Ecofys) (eds). Contributors from the ETC/ACC: Hans Eerens (overall co-ordination), Chris Coppens, Rob Swart, Peter de Smet, Joost-jan Schrander, Paul Ruyssenaars, Hugo Gordijn and Maarten Piek (PBL); Pavel Kurfürst and Jan Horalek (CHMI); Michael Harfoot (AEA-T).

Published by: ETC/ACC, Bilthoven, NL, December 2008, 139 pp. (Released November 2009).

This ETC/ACC Technical Paper was the initial product resulting in the EEA Technical report No 6/2009, "Europe's onshore and offshore wind energy potential", released in June 2009.