Wind energy

Wind power in Italy, at the end of 2015, consisted of more than 1,847 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 8,958 megawatts. Wind power contributed 5.4% of Italy electricity generation in 2015 (14,589 GWh). Italy is ranked as the world's ninth producer of wind power.

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Wind energy is a form of solar energy. Wind energy (or wind power) describes the process by which wind is used to generate electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. 

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Prospects for Italian wind energy beyond 2016 are very uncertain. Having Brazil already topped the 9 gigawatts mark, and with further 175 projects under construction in 2016, by the end of the year, it is expected that Italy will drop to the tenth position, following Brazil.

In 2010, the energy from the 487 active plants accounted for 19% of the renewable energy produced in Italy. The total energy produced in 2010 was 8,787 GWh, with an increase of 29% from the previous year.

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The Directive set a goal for Italy to obtain at least 25% of its electricity from renewables by 2010. The 1999 Italian ‘White Book’ targeted to install 2,500 MW of wind power capacity by 2010; Italy exceeded this in 2007. The Italian government targeted 12,000 MW by 2020. Given that Italy's recent growth in wind power capacity has been about 30% annually, the target appears reachable by 2015.

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