Siemens increased its market share of the European offshore wind sector to 60% in 2013, according to data published by the European Wind Energy Association. It supplied 1,249 turbines — followed by the Danish Vestas group with 574 turbines, or 27% of the market.

Overall European offshore wind capacity rose by a third last year to 2,080 turbines, but the growth was concentrated in the first half of the year, with a slow-down in new-build activity in the second half. The EWEA data shows that the UK and Denmark are Europe’s leading offshore wind markets, with installed capacities of 3.68GW and 1.27GW respectively.

EWEA chief executive Justin Wilkes said: “The unclear political support for offshore wind energy has led to delays to planned projects and fewer new projects being launched. This means that new installations are likely to plateau until 2015, followed by a decline from 2016.” He added that a change of government in Germany has led to “a new energy policy direction focused on reining in the costs of renewable-energy subsidies and cutting the target for offshore wind capacity, which is causing anxiety among wind turbine manufacturers.”