In 2019 Europe installed a total of 15.4 new gigawatts of wind power, representing an investment of 19 billion euros. Spain saw the second highest growth in this renewable energy segment in the European ranking, with 2.3 GW installed in new wind farms (15% of the total), and was the country receiving the highest investment, at 2.8 billion euros. In first place, but only slightly ahead, was the United Kingdom which installed 2.4 new gigawatts, while Germany was third with 2.2. The top three were followed at a distance by Sweden, with 1.6, and France, with 1.3.

The ranking prepared by WindEurope in its annual report entitled “Wind energy in Europe in 2019, trends and statistics”distinguishes between onshore and offshore wind farms. Offshore wind farms are still relatively scarce, and are mainly limited to four countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and Denmark), which highlights how little this technology has been implemented in countries with such extensive coastlines as Spain, Sweden and France.

Onshore wind farms
Spain clearly heads the ranking in new installations of onshore wind farms in 2019, with 100% of the 2.3 GW mentioned above. It is followed by Sweden and France, whose installations were also built practically entirely onshore. In total, Europe installed 11.8 GW of onshore wind power last year, compared to 3.6 GW of offshore.

With the incorporation of the new installations throughout the last year (27% more than in 2018), Europe now has 205 gigawatts of installed wind power, which now produce 15% of its electricity thanks to the wind. However, the report notes that the growth in sustainable energy generation must double its current rate if Europe wishes to fulfill the goals of Europe's green deal, as pledged by the European Commission in December; namely for 50% of its energy to come from wind by 2050.

Spain buffers Germany's sudden slowdown
The data are significant because Germany – one of the drivers of wind power in Europe in recent years – slowed significantly in 2019, with its lowest figures since 2000, and the outlook for this year does not presage a return to growth. On the positive side, growth in countries such as Spain and Sweden balanced the global figure for the continent. Spain specifically saw its highest rate of installation since 2009.

In terms of the total figures, Spain has the second highest rate of installed wind power of all European countries. With 25.8 GW, it is exceeded only by Germany's 61.4 gigawatts, followed by the United Kingdom with 23.5 gigawatts and France with 16.6.

Finally, and in regard to the percentage of electricity produced by wind power, Spain now has 21%, after Denmark (48%), Ireland (33%), Portugal (27%), Germany (26%) and the United Kingdom (22%).