Germany overtaken by China in wind-power market

Wind energy will grow by 160%

With coal mining ultimately limited, wind energy is an essential and popular alternative for renewable energy. This statement was echoed by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) today as they predicted wind-energy would rise by 160 percent over the next five years, with the expansion led by the US and China.

The GWEC said it expects global installed wind capacity to reach 409 gigawatts by 2014, up from 158.5 gigawatts at the end of 2009.

That outlines an average growth rate of 21 percent a year, a smidgen under the 29 percent-a-year growth seen over the past decade.

Despite less growth, the announcement still represents an extra 60 gigawatts of wind-power capacity a year.

Steve Sawyer, GWEC's secretary-general, said; "Even in the face of a global recession and financial crisis, wind energy continues to be the technology of choice in many countries around the world."

Germany slips to 3rd overall

Indeed, Germany still remains the highest placed European country in installed wind-power capacity, but has been knocked to third place in place of the emerging Chinese. The US still hold the top spot. 

To attain the number two status above Germany for installed wind-power status, China added a record 13.8 gigawatts last year and now has 25.81 gigawatts in installed wind-power capacity, the world's second-biggest. Germany is now third, but still produces a positive 25.78 gigawatts. Spain is fourth with 19.15 gigawatts, the GWEC said.

The US has installed a further 10 gigawatts of installed wind capacity in 2009 on the back of a boost from the US government's Recovery Act. The US' wind-energy installation now stands at 35.06 gigawatts, the clear market leader. 

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