Wind energy in Italy
Go where the wind takes you …
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SITUATION
In 2012 Italy was at the third
place in the exploitation of wind
energy in Europe, behind
Germany and Spain, with 8'144
MW of total installed capacity –
of which more than 6'737 MW in
2011.
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History of Wind Energy in Italy
In Italy the activities on wind energy began in the early 80s.
The main difficulty in the expansion of wind power in Italy is linked to
its geographical position, because the significant presence
of both mountain ranges and masses of water, leads to a different pattern of
winds during the year. However, Italy can exploit winds of good
intensity, especially in Mediterranean areas and islands. It is
precisely in these areas, especially along the Apennine chain and
coastal areas of south-central regions (Campania, Puglia, Molise, Sicily
and Sardinia), that the so-called wind farms were implanted.
The first prototype of the generator was installed in Sardinia in 1989.
Today after 23 years, there is a significant number of wind farms.
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Energy Generated in the Years
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Wind Farms in Italy
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The largest is in Sardinia
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69 turbines
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138 MW
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180,000 tons/year of CO2 emissions saved
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Sicily
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WIND ENERGY FUTURE
The increasing development of wind farms is linked to various
factors, the most important being the realization that burning of
fossil fuels generates pollutants harmful to humans and the
environment. Consider that for the production of 1 kWh a
conventional power plant emits 1000 g of carbon dioxide, 1.4 g of
sulfur dioxide and 1.9 g of nitrogen oxides, while wind farm
emissions are enormously reduced
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For the future it is expected, therefore, an exponential increase in the number
of wind turbines, that means the construction of about 5000 medium size
turbines, especially for off-shore wind farms.
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THE END
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