The 132 new offshore wind turbines, totalling 523.2MW, connected to the European grid in the first six months of the year, represents a 50% increase on the 348.1MW connected in the same period in 2011, notes EWEA. Furthermore they bring Europe’s operating offshore wind capacity to 4336MW by end June.

EWEA notes that a further 160 offshore turbines, totalling 647.4MW, have been installed but are still awaiting grid connection. It adds that some 13 wind farms were under construction in the first half of 2012 and that once completed they will account for an additional capacity of 3762MW.

“Offshore wind power is increasingly attracting investors, including pension funds and other institutional and corporate investors, but it would be good  to see more activity in southern Europe where jobs, investments and growth are desperately needed," says EWEA’s CEO, Christian Kjaer.