Global Wind Power Capacity Up 30 Per Cent

Global wind power capacity gained over 30 per cent last year, according to Belgian trade association the Global Wind Energy Council.

In quantitative terms, 37.5 more gigawatts were installed, creating a new worldwide wind power total of close to 158 gigawatts. China was responsible for over 30 per cent of the additional capacity and – in domestic terms – expanded its wind power by over 100 per cent. Including the likes of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India, Asia contributed a combined 14+ gigawatts of wind capacity to the overall total.

Wind Energy Industry

Further statistics from the Global Wind Energy Council showed how the global wind energy industry now employs in excess of half-a-million people, and is worth billions of dollars: new turbine installation alone have a $63bn value.

“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”, council Secretary-General, Steve Sawyer, commented in a recent press release.

US Wind Power Capacity

The US extended its wind power capacity by 39 per cent – adding close-to-ten more gigawatts. As a result, said the council, it now has around 35 gigawatts. To put this into context: this is the equivalent of the power generated by up to 70 small-scale nuclear plants.

“The US wind energy industry shattered all installation records in 2009...” American Wind Energy Association chief executive, Denise Bode, stated. However, she said, “US wind turbine manufacturing is down compared to last year's levels and needs long-term policy certainty and market pull in order to grow.”

“Wind power has become the power technology of choice for a growing number of countries around the world”, Sawyer added. “Copenhagen didn’t bring us any closer to a global price on carbon, but wind energy continued to grow due to national energy policy in our main markets and also because many governments in prioritised renewable energy development in their economic recovery plans.”

See also:

29% Worldwide Wind Power Increase in 2008