OSLO- Output from Nordic wind power turbines surpassed 15 gigawatts (GW) on Wednesday for the first time, boosted by recent capacity expansion as well as winter storms, an analysis by Refinitiv showed.

The rise in output made wind the largest single source of electricity in the region, exceeding hydropower's contribution as well as the combined production of its nuclear plants - a rare event outside of major holidays.

"Nordic wind power output for the first time surpassed 15 gigawatts, an equivalent of an output from 15 nuclear power reactors. This is massive," said Gabriele Martinelli, lead analyst at Refinitiv.

By comparison, the maximum output generated by wind last winter was 12.8 GW, he said.

At 0400 CET (0300 GMT) on Wednesday, output from wind turbines met about one third of a total demand of 45 GW, slightly more than hydropower, while nuclear supplied about 10 GW, the data showed.

Hydropower plants, which use water stored in reservoirs, normally reduce their output when generation from wind turbines increases to save water for later use.

Wind power output helped push the Nordic day-ahead spot price down to 36.34 euros ($40) per megawatt-hour (MWh) on Wednesday from almost 41 euros the previous day.

Norway's installed wind power capacity rose by a third in 2019 to over 2 GW, the fastest growth rate in the Nordics.

The country rich in oil and gas has said it aims to add another 2 GW in onshore wind power by 2022 but the rapid growth has caused a public backlash, forcing the industry regulator to put on hold its review of new applications.

The government has said it planned to tighten the rules for approving new projects after protests from some local communities and environmentalists, who say wind turbines disturb pristine landscapes and kill birds.

($1 = 0.9073 euros)

(Editing by Terje Solsvik; Editing by David Clarke) ((nerijus.adomaitis@thomsonreuters.com; +47 9027 6699; Reuters Messaging: nerijus.adomaitis.thomsonreuters@reuters.net))