During 2011 Europe spent €406 billion (bn) on importing fossil fuels rising to €545 bn in 2012. This is around three times more than the cost of the Greek bailout up to 2013. Europe imports over half its energy in the form of fossil fuels, resulting in exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices. This dependency is set to increase according to the European Commission if decarbonisation of the power sector is not accelerated4. Wind energy offers a valuable solution to this crisis because it replaces costly fossil fuel imports.
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