1981

A meeting is held in Brighton, UK, to discuss the set-up of a European Wind Energy Association. Those present are Jos Beurskens from the Netherlands, Maribo Pedersen from Denmark, Horst Selzer from Germany, Giuseppe Selva from Italy and John Dixon and Donald Swift-Hook from the UK.

One of the first wind turbines, a 22 kW Bonus model

1982

The European Wind Energy Association is formed in September, in Stockholm. It has no staff or budget of its own, and represents individuals rather than organisations. Gijsbrecht “George” Piepers, who worked for the Dutch energy research institute ECN, is elected as Chairman.

A group of European agricultural machinery manufacturers fly to California to assess the market for producing wind turbines. 20-30 turbines are shipped and installed from Europe to California by the end of the year.

Wind turbine size reaches 55 kW.

The first European wind farm (5 x 20 kW turbines) opens on Greek island of Kyathos.

Denmark's Development Programme for Renewable Energy (the "UVE programme") is established.

1983

Growian's 3 MW two-bladed turbine with 100 metre rotor diameter erected in Germany. It is abandoned in 1988.

EWEA joins the then British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) in publishing Wind Directions, now the oldest English language journal devoted to the technology of wind energy (originally published in 1977).

Europe exports 350 turbines, with a total capacity of 20 MW, to California.

200 kW wind turbines in Hawaii

1984

First official European wind energy conference (“EWEC”) held in Hamburg.

In Denmark, Vestas starts serial production of a 75 kW three-bladed turbine.

Enercon develops its first turbine, the E-15/16 (55 kW).

An early member of the wind industry fixing a 55 kW turbine

1985

West German firm, Windkraft-Zentrale, begins exporting wind turbines.

Installed wind power capacity in the US - all of it in California - exceeds 1,000 MW from about 13,000 turbines.

The EU announces funding for 97 demonstration projects and trials up to 1989.

An early wind energy conference in Denmark, 26 years before EWEA 2012 in Copenhagen

1986

Nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl in Ukraine encourages more serious consideration of renewable alternatives.

Dr. David Lindley becomes president of EWEA, which now represents 2,000 individuals from all over Europe.

The European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC) is held in Rome. 800 participants from 36 countries attend.

Europe's installed wind energy capacity reaches 40 MW.

4 MW Project Eole vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT), looking like a giant egg whisk, erected in Quebec, Canada.

The Dutch government sets up a financing programme - the ‘Integraal Programma Windenergie'(IPW) – for the wind turbine industry in the Netherlands.

Global wind turbine shipments are recorded at 317 MW.

An early wind farm in Japan

1987

Manufacturing company WEG builds a 3 MW turbine with 60 metre rotor on the island of Orkney. It was the largest wind turbine built in the UK at the time.

Global wind turbine shipments are recorded at 231 MW, a fall from the 317 MW the previous year.

The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development publishes, “Our Common Future”. The report covers the importance of sustainable development and the political changes necessary to achieve it.

Vestas decides to concentrate exclusively on wind energy.

A two-bladed turbine in a wintery Northern Ireland

1988

EWEA holds international workshop on wind energy and the environment and publishes a reference book on wind energy.

Germany launches 100 MW wind energy support programme.

The UK announces plans for its first wind farm.

A European Community-funded “macro-economic” study of the costs of energy generation backs wind, but the authors warn that government intervention is needed to avoid discrimination by market forces.

Two years after Chernobyl, Denmark passes a law forbidding nuclear power plant construction.

Raising the rotor in Denmark

1989

Fifteen single-bladed MBB (Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm) turbines go up in Germany. They are eventually dismantled in 1992.

Danish Bonus company begins series production of a 450 kW three-bladed machine with 35 metre rotor.

The European Wind Atlas is published for the Commission of the European Communities by Riso National Laboratory.

600 delegates attend EWEC in Glasgow, Scotland.

The California Energy Commission develops a method of evaluating the real price of electricity derived from different power sources. It concludes that only solar thermal is cheaper than wind.

A near bird's eye view of a Spanish wind farm

1990

Europe's largest wind park installed in Jutland, Denmark (42 x Nordtank 300 kW turbines).

The German Wind Energy Institute (DEWI) opens in Wilhelmshaven.

California's wind capacity reaches 1,500 MW from 15,200 turbines.

Danish government sets target for 800-1,350 MW of wind energy by the year 2000.

Dr. Ezio Sesto becomes EWEA's president.

The EU has a cumulative wind power capacity of 400 MW.

Built in 1991, Vindeby in Denmark was the world's first offshore wind farm

1991

First UK wind farm opens at Delabole in Cornwall.

Germany introduces feed-in tariff law for renewable energy (Einspeisegesetz) with payment to producers of 90% of retail electricity price per kilowatt hour.

First offshore wind park constructed at Vindeby off the coast of Denmark with 11 x 450 kW turbines.

Ten 30 kW wind turbines from German Aeroman are installed on Sijiao island off the Shanghai coast of China.

EWEA publishes action plan for European wind energy, showing potential for 100,000 MW by 2030.

Denmark's Tunoe Knob offshore farm was built in the early 1990s

1992

Two-bladed 2 MW Gamma turbines erected in Italy. The design proved too unwieldy to operate.

First Spanish wind farms open at Tarifa in Andalucia; National Energy Plan envisages up to 200 MW of wind capacity by 2000.

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (“Earth Summit”) in Rio de Janeiro establishes global principles for sustainable development and environmental protection.

A 1.1 MW cluster of wind turbines at Haverigg Hill in Cumbria, UK, is the first wind farm to come online in Britain.

The EU has a cumulative wind power capacity of 800 MW.

Blades about to be put on an Enercon E40 wind turbine in 1993.

1993

Enercon builds first E-40 direct drive (gearless) turbine.

Dutch Nedwind company makes first series production of 25 metre rotor blades.

Nordtank agrees to China turbine export order.

Llandinam wind farm (103 x Mitsubishi 300 kW turbines), the largest in Europe, opens in Wales.

British Board of Trade announces new government target for wind energy of 3,500 MW of installed capacity.

The EU has a cumulative wind power capacity of over 1,000 MW.

A 600 kW turbine in Germany

1994

Bonus erects prototype of 750 kW turbine.

Spanish company Gamesa starts joint venture with Vestas to manufacture wind turbines in Spain.

Wind power estimated to supply 2.5 million Europeans with electricity.

The European Renewable Energy Study (TERES) says that wind is already one of the cheapest energy sources if external costs are accounted for.

France installs its first wind farm in the Tramonte wind corridor of the western Mediterranean using four Vestas 500 kW turbines.

EWEA’s new president is Dr. Ian Mays.

The EU overtakes the US in terms of installed wind energy capacity in 1995. Here, maintenance is carried out on a 50 kW turbine in North America.

1995

Danish manufacturer Nordex erects prototype of 1.5 MW turbine in Denmark. Vestas and German company Tacke soon follow suit.

Germany’s installed capacity reaches more than 700 MW.

Europe’s wind capacity overtakes the US.

European Commission publishes Green Paper on energy policy, with commitment to increase contribution from renewables.

The EU has a cumulative wind power capacity of 2,500 MW.

The 1996 European Wind Energy Conference takes place in Sweden. Arthouros Zervos addresses the delegates.

1996

France launches a tender programme with a target for 500 MW by 2005: “Eole 2005”

India reaches over 800 MW of wind capacity.

The Iranian government—the world’s fifth largest oil producer—orders its first wind farm, comprising 300 kW Nordtank turbines.

The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) is founded.

Examining a rotor at a Hannover Messe in the mid 1990s.

1997

The Kyoto Protocol is agreed in Japan, with a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 5% of their 1990 level by 2012.

An EU White Paper sets non-binding goal to double Europe’s share of renewable energy from 6% to 12% (14 to 22% of electricity supply) by 2010.

Two Danish companies, Nordtank Energy Group and Micon, announce their intention to merge to become NEG Micon.

Unloading turbines at Izmir wind farm, Turkey

1998

EWEA announces target for 100,000 MW by 2020. Association website launched on www.ewea.org.

Enercon celebrates erection of the company’s 1,000th E-40 turbine.

Vestas floated as a public company on the Copenhagen stock exchange.

The global wind industry announces a record for new installed wind capacity in 1997, amounting to more than $1.5 billion in sales and 1,520 MW new capacity installed—a growth of 22% over 1996’s figures

The EU has a wind cumulative power capacity of 6,500 MW.

World wind capacity moves past 10,000 MW.

A young Scottish support of wind energy at Argyll

1999

EWEA, Greenpeace and the Danish Forum for Energy and Development publish the Windforce 10 report, showing how wind could generate 10% of global electricity by 2020.

EWEA secretariat moves from London to new offices in Brussels.

Dr. Klaus Rave becomes EWEA’s president.

Dutch company Nedwind's blades are prepared for transport in 2000

2000

First large-scale offshore wind farm, Middelgrunden, is erected off Copenhagen. 8,500 shareholders in Danish cooperative share 50% ownership of the 20 Bonus 2 MW turbines.

New German Renewable Electricity Law continues support for wind energy through fixed payments per kWh of output over 20 years.

In May, the first of five offshore 150 MW wind plant demonstration facilities in Denmark goes to tender and a 40 MW plant is under construction off the Copenhagen coast.

The EU’s cumulative wind power capacity reaches 12,887 MW.

Professor Arthouros Zervos in the year he becomes president of EWEA.

2001

The ground-breaking European Directive on Electricity from Renewable Sources sets national indicative targets for each EU member state with an overall goal of 22% by 2010, requiring regular progress reports.

France introduces fixed tariff support system linked to target for 10,000 MW of wind capacity by 2010. The UK opts for Renewables Obligation, with rising quota for renewable energy linked to green certificates.

Round one of UK offshore wind development begins.

European Court of Justice confirms that German feed-in law does not count as “state aid”.

Professor Arthouros Zervos takes on EWEA’s presidency.

Alaiz wind farm in Navarra, Spain, with Gamesa 660 kW turbines. Spain was one of the pioneers of wind energy, alongside Denmark and Germany.

2002

Multinational corporation General Electric buys Enron Wind Corp, with both US and European manufacturing bases.

Horns Rev offshore wind farm opens in Danish North Sea (80 x Vestas 2 MW turbines).

First Global Windpower conference held in Paris.

German wind capacity exceeds 10,000 MW.

EWEA is represented.at Earth Summit in Johannesburg. The summit calls for more renewable energy around the world.

The EU’s cumulative wind power capacity exceeds 20,000 MW (23,157 MW in total).

EWEA's future CEO, Christian Kjaer, speaks at the 2003 European Wind Energy Conference in Madrid

2003

Enercon erects 4.5 MW turbine with 112 metre rotor.

Vestas and NEG Micon merge to form the world’s largest turbine manufacturer, Vestas.

Spanish government sets target for 13,000 MW of wind by 2011.

EWEA sets new targets for 75 GW by 2010 and 180 GW by 2020.

According to a report commissioned by the British government, global offshore wind power would increase from around 170 MW in 2003 to reach almost 11 GW by 2007.

The UK opens its first offshore wind farm, North Hoyle, with 60 MW of capacity.

2004

Danish blade manufacturer LM Glasfiber produces its longest blade yet – 61.5 metres in length.

German turbine manufacturer REpower installs prototype 5 MW turbine.

Siemens buys Bonus Energy of Denmark, the fifth largest wind turbine manufacturer, and joins the wind energy business.

The EU’s cumulative wind power capacity exceeds 30,000 MW at 34,372 MW.

2005

Oil price moves above $70 per barrel, intensifying concerns about security of fossil fuel supplies.

Global Wind Energy Council formed with members from more than 50 countries.

US government extends the Production Tax Credit incentive to the end of 2007, encouraging new wind industry boom.

China sets target for 30 GW of wind power by 2020.

European wind power moves above 40,000 MW, exceeding the EU target for 2010 five years ahead of time.

2006

US wind power capacity leaps above 10,000 MW.

A wind turbine supply agreement commits Spanish Iberdrola to buy 2,700 MW, valued at €2.3 billion, from manufacturer Gamesa.

EWEA launches “No Fuel” campaign emphasising wind’s essential difference from conventional energy sources and later sets new target for 180 GW of wind in Europe by 2020, 300 GW by 2030.

Enercon produces its 10,000th turbine.

European Technology Platform for Wind Energy is launched. It aims to direct funding towards research priorities up to 2030.

France sets goal to develop more than twice as much new wind power as new nuclear and coal over the next ten years.

Christian Kjaer becomes EWEA’s CEO.

2007

EU adopts new binding target for 20% renewables in energy supply by 2020.

Eurobarometer survey shows that 71% of EU citizens are “very positive” about the use of wind power.

First European Wind Day marked across Europe with a wind turbine erected in centre of Brussels.

The world’s largest wind turbine, the Enercon E-126, is installed in Emden, Germany. It produces over 7 MW.

The EU-27’s cumulative wind power capacity reaches 56,453 MW.

2008

Iberdrola Renovables and Gamesa sign an agreement to develop and manage some wind projects together, and to supply 4.5 GW of turbines.

Italy passes a Financial Act including a green certificate scheme for renewable energy.

Nine zones are identified around Britain’s coast for construction of 25 GW of wind farms in the third round of government sponsored offshore development.

2009

The EU’s 2009 Renewable Energy Directive is agreed, committing Europe to getting 20% of its energy from renewables by 2020.

The European Parliament’s energy committee agrees to dedicate €565 million to offshore wind projects as part of the EU Economic Recovery Plan.

EWEA joins forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) to coordinate Global Wind Day.

Wind power provides 2% of worldwide electricity.

Europe accounts for 48% of the world’s wind energy capacity - the EU-27’s cumulative wind power capacity is 75,103 MW.

2010

The British government announces the go-ahead for offshore wind farm development areas with a capacity ten times greater than Europe’s existing European offshore wind energy capacity.

The European Commission allocates over €902 million to electricity interconnection projects as part of its broader European Economic Recovery Plan.

Ten North Seas Countries agree to work together to develop an offshore electricity grid.

Denmark’s wind power share of electricity reaches over 20%.

The EU-27’s cumulative wind power capacity is 84,650 MW.

2011

EWEA’s campaign, ‘Free movement of electricity’ is launched with the support of Eurelectric and Businesseurope: www.freedomforelectricity.eu.

The European Parliament votes to create a dedicated budget line for wind energy research and development for the first time.

9,000 people attend EWEA’s 2011 Annual Event, which takes place in Brussels. EWEA launched its call for 2030 renewable energy targets on the opening day.

8,000 people attend EWEA’s 2011 Offshore Wind Energy Event, which takes place in Amsterdam.

In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, Germany announces plans to shut down all nuclear plants by 2022 as well as double the country’s share of renewable energies, including wind energy.

The EU Energy Roadmap 2050 is launched. EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger says he expects binding renewable energy targets for 2030 could be in place by 2014.

The EU-27’s cumulative wind power capacity is 93,957 MW.

2012

The world’s largest offshore wind farm opens off the coast of Cumbria, England. It has a capacity of 367 MW.

EWEA turns 30!