China Plows Ahead of U.S. and Europe, Doubles Wind Power in 2009
Red China is turning green. Last year the country doubled its wind capacity, installing more wind turbines in 2009 than either Europe or the U.S., according to data released today by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
China added 13,000 megawatts of new capacity in 2009, bringing the country’s total wind capacity from 12,100 megawatts in 2008 to 25,100 megawatts at the end of last year.
By comparison Europe, through 2009, added 10,500 megawatts, the U.S. added 9,900 megawatts to its wind generation portfolio.
Overall, the world’s wind power capacity grew by 31 percent in 2009, adding 37,500 megawatts of new capacity last year, bringing total global wind-powered generation to157, 900 megawatts.
In a prepared statement GWEC Secretary General Steve Sawyer said:
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 prioritized renewable energy development in their economic recovery plans.
The global market for turbine installations was worth €45 billion ($63 billion) in 2009, said the GEWC.
Separately, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) said that in Europe, last year Spain added the most wind turbines, installing 2,500 megawatts of new capacity. Germany was second, added 1,917 megawatts, followed by Italy (1,114 megawatts), France (1,088 megawatts), and the UK (1,077 megawatts).
Chart: GEWC / EWEA; Image: Reuters
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