According to WindEurope’s ‘Financing and Investment Trends’ report, approximately €51.2bn were invested in Europe's wind energy throughout 2017 (+9% on 2016), of which €22.3bn for new wind parks. The remainder was allocated to the refinancing of existing facilities and the acquisition of companies and projects. Even though the amounts dedicated to new projects were 20% lower than in 2016, they encompassed more capacity (11.5 GW in 2017, +13%). Project and companies acquisitions almost doubled in 2017 (€14.4bn compared with €6.8bn in 2016).
The report also estimates that wind energy accounted for half of all European power sector investments in 2017, mainly thanks to increased auction competition and technology advances that are driving cost reductions. Twenty European countries invested in wind projects in 2017 (16 in 2016) though Germany and the United Kingdom accounted for half of all new Final Investment Decisions. The trend is likely to continue in 2018, showing the sector shift towards competitive auctions and away from subsidies.