Press Release: Renewables account for 62% of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU in 2009

The 'Renewable Energy Snapshots' report, published on 5 July 2010 by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17GW) of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009. The share rose from 57% in 2008. For the second year running, wind energy accounted for the largest share of the new capacity: 10.2 GW out of the 27.5 GW built, representing 38% of the total. In absolute terms, renewables produced 19.9% of Europe's electricity consumption in the past year.