The world

Monday, 05 June 2006

A total of 11,769 MW of wind power were installed worldwide last yea, accordinal to the Global Wind Energy Council—GWEC. The figures represents an increase of 43% from the 8,207 MW installed the year before. The total global capacity was 59,322 MW by the end of 2005, some 24% above 2004 levels. “Some 48 governments have already passed laws and regulations to support the development of renewable energies", said Mr Arthouros Zervos, President of GWEC. “However, this effort must be extended if we want the benefits of wind power to be reproduced worldwide”, he added.

The first five countries in the wind world ranking are: Germany (18,428 MW); Spain (10,025 MW); United States (9,149 MW); India (4,430 MW) and Denmark (3,122 MW). Therefore, India has passed Denmark and is now fourth. Other countries that have passed the 1,000 MW barrier are Italy, United Kingdom, Holland, China, Japan and Portugal.

Europe remains leader with 40,500 MW installed, a figure which represents 69% of the world's total and that is already 500 MW above the EU's goal for 2010, which was set back in 2000. Wind energy provided 3% of the EU's electricity consumption in 2005.

However, despite the strong European growth -with an increase of 18% in new capacity with respect to 2004- it only represents half of the capacity installed worldwide, is a sign that other markets are taking off.

USA, the most dynamic market
Indeed, almost 25% of the new power worldwide was installed in the US, where as many as 2,500 MW were installed last year, making America the most dynamic market in the world. This trend is due to the Congress-promoted extension until the end of 2007 of the wind power retribution scheme.

The Canadian market grew by 53%, while the Asian market surged by 49%, leaded by India, where 1,430 MW were installed last year. China also set a new record with 500 new MW.

Meanwhile, Australia almost doubled its total capacity, after having installed 328 new megawatts in 2005. On the other hand, the African market is still far from taking off, although Egypt could reach 230 MW with 85 new MW in 2005. Morocco already has 64 MW in operation, after last year's new 10 megawatts.

For additional information:
www.gwec.org