Future of the Environment

Wind farms now provide 14% of EU power – these countries are leading the way

Giant wind turbines dot the sky at dawn near Honrrubia, central Spain, early February 11, 2004. Spain is the world's second-largest producer of wind power after Germany. The growing renewable energy industry has created thousands of new jobs and the government projects wind power capacity will nearly triple by 2011 to help meet demand and reach Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Wind energy is captured through wind turbines that usually consist of three blades which rotate due to the air pressure exerted on them by strong winds which powers an electric generator that can be connected to a local utility grid or used alone. NO RIGHTS CLEARANCES OR PERMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS IMAGE NTRES REUTERS/Sergio Perez SP/JV - RP4DRIFTMAAA

Spain receives 19% of its power from wind. Image: REUTERS/Sergio Perez

Sean Fleming
Senior Writer, Formative Content
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Future of the Environment

Image: WindEurope
Denmark and Ireland: Smaller EU nations but leaders in wind power
Denmark and Ireland: Smaller EU nations but leaders in wind power Image: WindEurope
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Germany: home to nearly one-third of the EU’s wind energy installations.
Germany: home to nearly one-third of the EU’s wind energy installations. Image: WindEurope
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