The boom in wind farms across the European Union has single-handedly driven the net growth in power generating capacity as fossil fuel plants shut faster than they are built.

The steady shutdown of polluting coal plants across the UK and the rest of EU outstripped the number being built by more than four times over.

New gas plants only narrowly replaced the number of older gas generation units being shut down.

By contrast the number of new wind turbines mushrooming across the EU increased by 20pc from the previous year to set new records in Germany, the UK and France.

As a result wind power is now Europe’s second largest source of electricity, behind gas-fired power plants, after it made up almost a fifth of all installed electricity capacity across the block last year.

In total the strong rollout of onshore and offshore turbines added a record 15.6GW of new energy capacity last year, according to a report from Wind Europe.

The industry group said 2017 was also a record for fresh investment in future wind farms after agreements to build another 11.5GW were signed, worth around €22.3bn (£19.8bn).

“It’s further evidence that wind is mainstream and delivers bang for your buck,” said said Wind Europe boss Giles Dickson.