The overall capacity of all wind turbines installed worldwide by the end of 2017 reached 539,291MW, according to preliminary statistics published by WWEA. 52,552MW were added in the year 2017, slightly more than in 2016 when 51,402MW went online. This is the third largest number ever installed within one year, after the record years 2015 and 2014. However, the annual growth rate of only 10,8 % is the lowest growth ever since the industrial deployment of wind turbines started end of the 20th century.
All wind turbines installed by end of 2017 can cover more than 5% of the global electricity demand. For many countries, wind power has become a pillar in their strategies to phase out fossil and nuclear energy. In 2017, Denmark set a new world record with 43% of its power coming from wind. An increasing number of countries have reached a double-digit wind power share, including Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden or Uruguay.
The by far largest wind power market China installed an additional capacity of 19GW, slightly less than in 2016, and continues its undisputed position as the world’s wind power leader, with a cumulated wind capacity of 188GW. Out of the leading markets, the USA (6,8GW added, reaching 89GW in total), Germany (6,1GW new, overall 56GW), India (4,6GW added, 32,9GW total capacity) UK (3,3GW new, 17,9GW total), Brazil (2GW new, 12,8GW total) and France (1,7GW new, 13,8GW total) saw all very strong growth.