European offshore wind power market grew 54% in 2009
In 2009, a total of eight new wind farms consisting of 199 offshore wind turbines, with a combined power generating capacity of 577 MW, were connected to the grid in Europe.
This represents a growth rate of 54% compared to the 373 MW installed during 2008. For 2010, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) expects the completion of 10 additional European offshore wind farms, adding 1,000 MW and equivalent to market growth of 75% compared to 2009.
“This is an incredibly good result considering the continued difficulties of obtaining project finance for large projects,” said Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive. “Independent project developers, in particular, are still struggling. For the offshore wind power industry to continue its development, it is vital that governments and the European Commission provide policy frameworks that stimulate investor interest and allow project developers to move their plans forward,” said Kjaer.
Currently, 17 offshore wind farms are under construction in Europe, totaling more than 3,500 MW, with just under half being constructed in UK waters. In addition, a further 52 offshore wind farms have won full consent in European waters, totaling more than 16,000 MW, with just over half of this capacity planned in Germany.
In 2009, the turnover of the offshore wind industry was approximately EUR1.5 billion, and EWEA expects this to double in 2010 to approximately EUR3 billion.
“The push given by the decision to inject EUR255 million under the European Union’s European Economic Recovery Plan into the offshore wind sector showed that decision makers understand that offshore wind is key to Europe’s future energy supplies. The European Investment Bank’s (EIB) increased involvement will also be instrumental for the future success of offshore wind’s contribution to European recovery, job creation and technology leadership,” concluded EWEA’s CEO.
More than 100 GW of projects are at various stages of planning and could provide enough power to meet 10% of European electricity demand.
Europe is the world leader in offshore wind with 828 wind turbines and a cumulative capacity of 2,056 MW spread across 38 offshore wind farms in nine European countries. The UK and Denmark are the current leaders, with a 44% and 30% share respectively. In 2009, five countries built new offshore wind farms: UK (284 MW), Demark (230 MW), Sweden (30 MW), Germany (30 MW), Norway (2.3 MW).
Pdf with the full analysis of the data
Source: EWEA – European wind Energy Association
80 million European runners reveal their reasons to run
ASICS looks into the runner’s mind
The world of running is experiencing a ’second running wave’, with approximately 36% of 15 to 65 year-old Europeans taking to the streets, parks, forests, and gyms. But how did this new boom come about in Europe? Why is it that we run?
To honour its 60th anniversary this year, ASICS took its expertise in running to another level by conducting an unprecedented research into the mind of the runner. Executed by the research institute Synovate, ASICS’ ‘Reasons to Run’ research asked more than 3,500 runners in seven European countries* to reveal the ‘why?’ behind their actions, making it the biggest study of its kind ever.
From body to mind
A significant fact that comes up in each country is that the attitude towards running is one of ‘first the body, then the mind’. The physical benefits of running far outweigh the mental benefits when it comes to getting started, with health issues such as fitness (for 54% of runners) and weight-loss (for 40%) being the two main reasons why Europeans start running. As time goes by however, the balance shifts from the body to the mind as runners discover the mental rewards running gives them, with 34% declaring they do it for fun and 35% as a means of stress-relief.
On average, Europeans wish to lose 6.1kgs by running, but the Dutch go above and beyond this target with a goal of 9.5kgs. On the topic of running partners, the British hold the highest number of runners who run with their babies in strollers while the Italians hold the highest percentage of running-club memberships (13%) as they enjoy the company of a running partner the most. When asked what goes through their minds whilst running, the Spanish declared they scrutinise other runners they see, while the French focus on their breath, pace and rhythm, the British worry about their finances and the current credit crunch, and Belgians think about nothing at all.
We run as we are
Delving deep into the runner’s mind, ASICS’ ‘Reasons to Run’ research delivers some intriguing results. The findings range from a general consensus over certain aspects (such as why people start to run) to factors that differ hugely between nations (such as motivation to continue, injury prevention, and preferred locations). These differences are down to the fact that the runner’s mindset profile greatly resembles their country’s disposition. The hard-working Germans, for example, are diligent runners who don’t like to give up, while the joie-de-vivre French run mainly for fun. The down-to-earth qualities of the Dutch mean they are not bothered by anything while running in contrast to the passionate Spanish who find they are easily irritated.
The marvels of running
Not since the first running boom of the early seventies, when people realised that running was a reliable means of getting healthy, has the world of running seen such an immense escalation in runners. Progressively more runners appearing in parks, streets and gyms, a surge in numbers on marathon registration lists (with a total of 494 marathons taking place in Europe alone), and a huge increase in women taking up the sport (33% of European women started in the last 12 months) are just some of the signs highlighting what is now known as the ’second running wave’. This latest boom is emphasised by the fact that a third of today’s runners started in the last year and the numbers just keep growing, with the current total of European runners exceeding 80 million.
* NB: The countries that participated are Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, and the results are a representation of the 80 million runners in these European countries.
For more details, facts and figures about the Reason to Run survey, please see www.everythingaboutrunning.asics.eu.
Online Casino Makes European Player a Multi-Millionaire!
Player Strikes it Lucky With a Win of Over EUR6.3 Million at River Belle Online Casino!
River Belle Online Casino has given Europe its latest millionaire with a win of over EUR6.3 million by longtime River Belle player Georgios M. on the Mega Moolah Progressive Slot Machine!
With a “passion for slot machines” Georgios M. has most certainly ensured that 2009 has been a year to remember! This 36-year-old business owner, husband and father was playing the Mega Moola Progressive Slot Machine in his River Belle Online Casino Software early on Saturday evening when he hit the big one – EUR6.3 million ($8,6 million) in CASH!
The Mega Moolah slot machine has long been a favourite with River Belle and Belle Rock Entertainment casino players, and had been amassing a huge progressive jackpot over the past few months. For Georgios, his date with destiny arrived when the progressive jackpot burst, making him the recipient of the largest ever Microgaming casino jackpot payout. On hearing about his win, Georgios phoned River Belle’s 24/7 Casino Support line for confirmation, as in his own words he “could not believe it”. River Belle’s efficient support staff quickly calmed his nerves and assured him that he had indeed won over EUR6.3 million in cash.
Belle Rock Entertainment’s Chairman Tim Johnson had this to say about Georgios M’s amazing win, “We at Belle Rock Entertainment take the utmost pleasure in seeing our players win life-changing jackpots. It is an amazing accomplishment that for a single bet of EUR5 a valued long time River Belle player walked away with one of the largest online jackpots ever won. Well done and enjoy your winnings Georgios.”
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London’ s Cuisine Worst in Europe, but Capital Boasts Best Free Attractions
TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Highs and Lows of European Cities
It may be home to some of the world’s finest chefs, but London’s cuisine has been voted the worst in Europe, in a survey of travellers’ perceptions of European cities by TripAdvisor(R), the world’s most popular and largest travel community.
Yet whilst the capital’s food may fail to whet travellers’ appetites, its feast of cultural sights and open spaces meets with approval. London emerged as the best European city for both free attractions and public parks in the survey of 2,376 European travellers. As one TripAdvisor reviewer writes, “I have travelled quite a lot and there are NO parks in the world like the ones in London, especially St James’ Park.”
Copenhagen took the accolade of Europe’s cleanest city, whilst London was crowned the dirtiest, for the second year running. One TripAdvisor reviewer writes, “When I went to London last I was looking for a bin at Victoria Station. I couldn’t find one so asked security and they told me to just throw it on the floor.”
Travellers also ranked London the most expensive city in Europe, whilst Prague was voted the best bargain. And when it comes to architecture, Barcelona boasts Europe’s finest, whilst Warsaw has the ugliest, with one TripAdvisor reviewer noting that, “There really isn’t much to see architecturally… The castle, which is located in the square, was uninteresting. There was also this huge ugly building, which is the Ministry of Sciences – that was ugly but BIG.”
BRITONS STILL PLANNING TRIPS TO EUROZONE
Despite the strength of the euro, the survey reveals that a staggering 93% of British travellers intend to travel within Europe in the coming year (beyond their own country) – higher than their Spanish counterparts (90%), the French (91%) or Italians (91%).
However, when it comes to travel budgets, Britons exercise the most caution. More than one in two Brits (57%) will stick to a tighter budget than on previous European jaunts, compared to 30% of French travellers, 38% of Italians and 48% of Spanish.
Luke Fredberg, TripAdvisor spokesman, says, “Europe’s capital cities all have their highs and lows, but no other continent offers travellers’ such a wealth of culture and sights within such short distances. Despite London emerging as the dirtiest and most expensive city, its fantastic free attractions prove that you don’t need to be a millionaire in order to enjoy the capital.”
TRIPADVISOR’S EUROPEAN CITIES SURVEY: RESULTS OVERVIEW
Best Free Attractions: 1. London (35%) 2. Rome (9%) 3. Barcelona (9%)
Most Over-Rated: 1. Paris (25%) 2. London (12%) 3. Dublin (6%)
Most Under-Rated: 1. Krakow (7%) 2. Bruges (6%) 3. Edinburgh (5%)
Friendliest Locals: 1. Dublin (15%) 2. Amsterdam (14%) 3. Edinburgh (8%)
Least Friendly: 1. Paris (36%) 2. London (17%) 3. Moscow (6%)
Most Boring: 1. Brussels (14%) 2. Zurich (9%) 3. Dublin (6%)
Most Tourist Traps: 1. London (30%) 2. Paris (15%) 3. Rome (10%)
Most Romantic: 1. Venice (29%) 2. Paris (21%) 3. Rome (11%)
Most Expensive: 1. London (23%) 2. Paris (19%) 3. Venice (8%)
Best Bargain: 1. Prague (16%) 2. Amsterdam (9%) 3. Istanbul (8%)
Best Nightlife: 1. London (27%) 2. Amsterdam (17%) 3. Barcelona(11%)
Cleanest: 1. Copenhagen (9%) 2. Zurich (8%) 3. Stockholm (7%)
Dirtiest: 1. London (36%) 2. Paris (9%) 3. Athens (7%)
Best cuisine: 1. Paris (18%) 2. London (17%) 3. Rome (13%)
Worst cuisine: 1. London (10%) 2. Moscow (7%) 3. Warsaw (6%)
Best Architecture: 1. Barcelona (15%) 2. Rome (14%) 3. London (12%)
Ugliest Architecture: 1. Warsaw (8%) 2. Berlin (7%) 3. Brussels (6%)
Best Public Parks: 1. London (50%) 2. Paris (7%) 3. Barcelona (6%)
Best Dressed: 1. Paris (26%) 2. Rome (23%) 3. Madrid (8%)
Worst Dressed: 1. London (20%) 2. Dublin (6%) 3. Moscow (6%)
2,376 European travellers participated in the survey, including 638 British travellers
Source: TripAdvisor