Global wind power growth rates exceed expectations

A record 20,000 MW of wind power were installed world-wide last year, with the United States, Spain and China providing the biggest annual increases, the Global Energy Council (GEC) said.

World-wide wind power installed capacity stands at a record, 94,112 MW, BBC reported. Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Brussels-based Global Energy Council, said that the growth rates in wind energy continue to exceed the council’s most optimistic expectations.
“Globally, wind energy has become a mainstream energy source and an important player in the world’s energy markets, and it now contributes to the energy mix in more than 70 countries across the globe,” Sawyer added. The US reported a record 5,244 MW installed in 2007, more than double the 2006 figure, accounting for about 30 per cent of the country’s new power-producing capacity in 2007. Overall US wind power generating capacity grew 45 per cent in 2007, with total installed capacity now standing at 16.8 GW. It can be expected that the US will overtake Germany as the leader on wind energy by the end of 2009.

China added 3,449 MW of wind energy capacity during 2007, representing market growth of 156 per cent over 2006, and now ranks fifth in installed wind energy capacity with over 6,000 MW at the end of 2007. Based on current growth rates, the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association (CREIA) forecasts a capacity of around 50,000 MW by 2015.

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