DEVELOPMENT IN WIND ENERGY SECTOR IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

This study presents the state and prospects of use of electricity production from wind energy, which is a renewable energy source. Obligations by the EU countries to ensure 20% share of renewable energy in consumption of primary, energy until 2020 also stimulate searching and analysis of opportunities to improve wind energy utilization as an energy source. The problems and directions connected with operation of wind energy power plants as well as their advantages and drawbacks were also characterized. Economic analysis was also presented by comparison of use of different renewable energy sources for production of electricity. This study employed a number of statistical data which allow for assessment of the level of electricity production from wind energy in the countries of the European Union and worldwide.