Wind Energy Basics

In this section you can find current, easy to understand wind energy information.

This includes:

- frequently asked wind energy questions
- the 'How a wind turbine works’ tool
- Wind Energy Facts

If you are new to offshore wind, you can watch the offshore wind energy animation.

An offshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5-3 MW can produce more than 6 million kWh in a year - enough to supply 1,500 average EU households with electricity (Source: EWEA). Click the image to see 'How a wind turbine works'.

From 2007 – 2010, jobs in wind energy grew by nearly 30% while EU unemployment rose by 9.6%. In 2010, 238,000 people were employed in wind energy. That number should increase to 520,000 by 2020 - a 200% rise in ten years. See the Wind Energy Facts for more details

The wind energy sector contributed €32 billion to EU GDP in 2010. At 0.26%, it contributed more value to EU GDP than the entire European footwear industry, an increase of 33% since 2007 (Source: EWEA). Find out more in the EWEA report 'Green Growth'.