Europe’s offshore wind capacity is set to rise 62% when nine new offshore wind farms are completed. They will bring online an additional 2375 MW, show new statistics.

There were 235 new offshore wind turbines, worth roughly €2.4 billion, connected to the grid last year, according to the European Wind Energy Association’s (EWEA) annual offshore wind statistics for 2011.

Justin Wilkes, Policy Director of EWEA said: “The offshore wind sector witnessed a stable market in 2011. Despite the economy-wide financial squeeze, 2011 saw a 40% increase on the previous year in offshore non-recourse debt financing, up from €1.46 billion in 2010 to €2.05 billion in 2011.

“The strong project pipeline and financial developments highlight the importance of countries continuing to provide and develop stable long-term frameworks for offshore wind power in order to allow the industry to continue its development.”