Wind power by country

There are now many thousands of wind turbines operating, with a total nameplate capacity of 157,899 MW of which wind power in Europe accounts for 48% (2009). World wind generation capacity more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006, doubling about every three years. 81% of wind power installations are in the US and Europe. The share of the top five countries in terms of new installations fell from 71% in 2004 to 62% in 2006, but climbed to 73% by 2008 as those countries — the United States, Germany, Spain, China, and India — have seen substantial capacity growth in the past two years (see chart).

The World Wind Energy Association forecast in 2009, that by 2010, over 200 GW of capacity would have been installed worldwide,^[1] up from 73.9 GW at the end of 2006, implying an anticipated net growth rate of more than 28% per year.

Installed windpower capacity

By country

Wind accounts for nearly one-fifth of electricity generated in Denmark — the highest percentage of any country — and it is tenth in the world in total wind power generation. Denmark is prominent in the manufacturing and use of wind turbines, with a commitment made in the 1970s to eventually produce half of the country's power by wind.

China is currently the world's leader in wind power generation capacity, with 41,800 megawatts in operation.^[11][12] China had originally set a generating target of 30,000 MW by 2020 from renewable energy sources, but reached 22,500 MW by end of 2009. Indigenous wind power could generate up to 253,000 MW.^[13] A Chinese renewable energy law was adopted in November 2004, following the World Wind Energy Conference organized by the Chinese and the World Wind Energy Association. By 2008, wind power was growing faster in China than the government had planned, and indeed faster in percentage terms than in any other large country, having more than doubled each year from 2005 to 2009. Policymakers doubled their wind power prediction for 2010, after the wind industry reached the original goal of 5 GW three years ahead of schedule.^[14][14]

In recent years, the US has added substantial amounts of wind power generation capacity, growing from just over 6 GW at the end of 2004 to over 35 GW at the end of 2009.^[15] The country as a whole generates just 2.4% of its electrical power from wind, but several states generate substantial amounts of wind power.^[15] Texas is the state with the largest amount of generation capacity with 9,410 MW installed.^[15] This would have ranked sixth in the world, were Texas a separate country. Iowa is the state with the highest percentage of wind generation, at 14.2% in 2009.^[16] California was one of the incubators of the modern wind power industry, and led the U.S. in installed capacity for many years. As of mid-2010, fourteen U..S. states had wind power generation capacities in excess of 1000 MW.^[15] U.S. Department of Energy studies have concluded that wind from the Great Plains states of Texas, Kansas, and North Dakota could provide enough electricity to power the entire nation, and that offshore wind farms could do the same job.^[17][18]

India ranks 5th in the world with a total wind power capacity of 14,158 MW in March 2011,^[3] or 3% of all electricity produced in India. The World Wind Energy Conference in New Delhi in November 2006 had given additional impetus to the Indian wind industry.^[19] Muppandal village in Tamil Nadu state, India, has several wind turbine farms in its vicinity, and is one of the major wind energy harnessing centres in India led by majors like Suzlon, Vestas, Micon among others.^[20][21]

Mexico recently opened La Venta II wind power project as a step toward reducing Mexico's consumption of fossil fuels. The 88 MW project is the first of its kind in Mexico, and will provide 13 percent of the electricity needs of the state of Oaxaca. By 2012 the project will have a capacity of 3,500 MW. In May 2010, Sempra Energy announced it would build a wind farm in Baja California, with a capacity of at least 1,000 MW, at a cost of $5.5 billion.^[22]

Another growing market is Brazil, with a wind potential of 143 GW.^[23]

South Africa has a proposed station situated on the West Coast north of the Olifants River mouth near the town of Koekenaap, east of Vredendal in the Western Cape province. The station is proposed to have a total output of 100 MW although there are negotiations to double this capacity. The plant could be operational by 2010.

France has announced a target of 12,500 MW installed by 2010, though their installation trends over the past few years suggest they'll fall well short of their goal.

Canada experienced rapid growth of wind capacity between 2000 and 2006, with total installed capacity increasing from 137 MW to 1,451 MW, and showing an annual growth rate of 38%.^[24] Particularly rapid growth was seen in 2006, with total capacity doubling from the 684 MW at end-2005.^[25] This growth was fed by measures including installation targets, economic incentives and political support. For example, the Ontario government announced that it will introduce a feed-in tariff for wind power, referred to as 'Standard Offer Contracts', which may boost the wind industry across the province.^[26] In Quebec, the provincially owned electric utility plans to purchase an additional 2000 MW by 2013.^[27] By 2025, Canada will reach its capacity of 55,000 MW of wind energy, or 20% of the country's energy needs.

Annual wind power generation

Power analysis

Turbine size has increased faster than generator size, so that newer turbines generally hit maximum power at lower speeds,^[39] and energy produced has been rising faster than nameplate power capacity. Energy more than doubled between 2006 and 2008 in the table above, yet nameplate capacity (table on left) grew by 63% in the same period.

Installed windpower capacity (MW) 2002-2010

This table provides end-of-year installed wind power capacity (in megawatts) for the countries of the world for the years 2002 through 2010. The data source for the 2002 through 2010 figures is the World Wind Energy Association.^[40]

Installed wind energy capacity 1990-2001

Installed Wind Energy Capacity (in megawatts, MW)(cumulative for year):^{[43][44][45][46]}

Electricity generation by wind 2000-2008

Electricity Generation by Wind (in terawatt hours, TWh)(total for year):^[48]

Electricity generation by wind 1990-1999

Electricity Generation by Wind (in terawatt hours, TWh)(total for year):^[49]

Electricity generation by wind 1983-1989

Electricity Generation by Wind (in terawatt hours, TWh)(total for year):^[50]

References