(Germany) Wind power fuels transition to renewable energy [View all]

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.de/wind-power-fuels-transition-to-renewable-energy/a-18224739

2014 saw the record installation of more than 1,700 wind turbines in Germany. They supply as much electricity as two nuclear power plants, giving an important boost to renewable energies.

Wind power fuels transition to renewable energy
Date 30.01.2015
Author Gero Rueter / el

"The 2014 figures look very good. That was the best year for the buildup of wind energy in Germany. The industry can be very satisfied," said Hermann Albers, President of the German Wind Energy Association (BWE).

In 2014 wind turbines with a total output of 4.8 gigawatts (GW) were installed. Since 2015, these devices have generated over 38 GW of power in Germany,covering approximately 10 percent of the country's demand for power.

And for 2015, the prospects are good. The wind industry expects an additional 3.5 to four GW. To facilitate Germany's transition to renewable energies, a decisive buildup of wind power is necessary, since photovoltaics and biomass took a strong hit in the last two years.

~snip~

The strong buildup of windpower is a consequence of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. In a broad consensus, Germany decided to phase out nuclear power in 2011. Eight nuclear reactors went immediately off the grid, and the last nine should be shut down by 2022.