Wind Energy

Wind power in the world: 157,9 GW of global wind capacity in 2009

The European Union installed more new wind power capacity in 2009 than any other electricity-generating technology, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

The European Union’s total wind capacity has now reached 74,767 MW, with the potential to produce 163 TWh of electricity, meeting 4.8% of total EU power demand.

Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said China nearly doubled its wind generation capacity from 12.1 gigawatts in 2008 to 25.1 GW at the end of 2009, adding 13 GW and making it the world’s largest wind market.

The world’s wind capacity increased 31 percent in 2009, adding 37.5 GW and bringing total installations up to 157.9 GW. The global wind market for wind turbine installations in 2009 was worth about $63 billion, with the wind industry now employing about half a million people, according to GWEC.

The biggest growth markets include Asia, North America, and Europe, which each installed more than 10 GW of new wind capacity last year.

“The continued rapid growth of wind power despite the financial crisis and economic downturn is testament to the inherent attractiveness of the technology, which is clean, reliable and quick to install,” said Steve Sawyer, GWEC’s secretary general, in a news release. “Wind power has become the power technology of choice in a growing number of countries around the world.”

Li Junfeng, secretary general of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, said in the release that China is focused on developing its wind resources, spurred by a commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Junfeng said he expects China’s unofficial target of 150 GW will be met before 2020.

India added nearly 1,300 MW of new capacity, with some smaller additions in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, making Asia the biggest regional market for wind energy in 2009 with more than 14 GW of new capacity, according to GWEC.

Wind Power – Worldwide Installed Capacity Start 2010

Country -MW

1. United States- 35,159
2. Germany- 25,777
3. China- 25,104
4. Spain- 19,149
5. India -10,926
6. Italy -4,850
7. France -4,492
8. United Kingdom- 4,051
9. Portugal- 3,535
10. Denmark- 3,465

11. Canada- 3,319
12. Netherlands- 2,229
13. Japan-2,056
14. Australia-1,712
15. Sweden-1,560
16. Ireland- 1,260
17. Greece- 1,087
18. Austria- 995
19. Turkey- 801
20. Poland- 725

21. Brazil- 606
22. Belgium- 563
23. New Zealand- 497
24. Taiwan- 436
25. Norway- 431
26. Egypt- 430
27. S. Korea-348
28. Morocco- 253
29. Mexico- 202
30. Hungary- 201

31. Czech Republic- 192
32. Bulgaria-177
33. Chile- 168
34. Finland-146
35. Estonia-142
36. Costa Rica- 123
37. Ukraine- 94
38. Lithuania-91
39. Iran-91
40. Tunisia-54

41-Nicaragua-40
42. Luxembourg-35
43. Caribbean- 35
44. Philippines-33
45. Argentina-31
46. Latvia-28
47. Croatia- 28
48. Jamaica-23
49. Colombia- 20
50. Uruguay- 20

51. Switzerland- 18
52. Romania- 14
53. Cape Verde-12
54. Pacific Islands- 12
55. Reunion (France)- 10
56. Russia- 9
57. South Africa- 8
58. Israel- 8
59. Cuba-7
60. Kenya-5

61. Faroe Islands-4
62. Slovakia- 3
63. Sri Lanka- 3
64. Jordan- 2
65. Ecuador- 2
66. Peru- 1
67. Bangladesh- 1
68. Falklands Islands-1

Wind Energy in the World: 157.900 MW in 2010

www.gwec.net