Offshore Wind Heads for Record Year

BRUSSELS, July 20, 2010 - 118 new offshore wind turbines were fully connected to the grid in the
first half of 2010 according to new statistics released today by EWEA. Those
118 turbines have a capacity of 333 MW - well over half the 577MW installed
offshore last year - showing continuing strong growth in offshore wind power
despite the financial crisis. In addition, 151 turbines (440 MW) were
installed but not yet connected to grid, the European Wind Energy Association
(EWEA) revealed today.

Overall 16 offshore wind farms totaling 3,972 MW were under
construction. Of these, 4 became fully operational: Poseidon in Denmark,
Alpha Ventus in Germany, Gunfleet Sands and Robin Rigg in the UK.

To date in Europe there are 948 offshore wind turbines in 43 fully
operational offshore wind farms, with a total capacity of 2396MW.

Among the developers E.ON Climate and Renewables developed 64%
of the offshore capacity grid connected during the first half of 2010,
followed by Dong (21%) and Vattenfal (11%). Among the manufacturers Siemens
accounted for 55% of the offshore capacity grid connected during the first
half of 2010, Vestas 36% and REpower 9%.

"Despite the financial crisis offshore wind continues to be a
major growth industry" said Justin Wilkes, Director of Policy at EWEA. "The
number of offshore wind turbines connected to the grid is in the first half
of this year is well over half the total amount installed all last year and I
am confident we are heading for a record year."

"There is no doubt this burgeoning industry is being held back
by a lack of finance. Projects led by utilities are less affected thanks to
their ability to fund investments from their balance sheets but independent
developers are severely constrained. Loans from public institutions such as
the European Investment Bank are crucial and have already helped a number of
projects, and this support must be extended further."

"Europe is a world leader in offshore wind energy and
continuing growth - and the availability of finance - is essential for
European jobs and competitiveness as well as for reducing CO2 emissions."

Note to editors:

EWEA is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting the
utilisation of wind power in Europe and worldwide. It now has over 650
members from almost 60 countries including manufacturers with a 90% share of
the world wind power market, plus component suppliers, research institutes,
national wind and renewables associations, developers, electricity providers,
finance and insurance companies and consultants.

For more information contact: Julian Scola, EWEA, julian.scola at ewea.org, +32-2-213-18-22