The world market for wind energy saw a sound revival in the first half of 2011 and re-gained momentum after a weak year in 2010: The worldwide wind capacity reached 215,000MW by the end of June 2011, out of which 18,405MW were added in the first six months of 2011 (increase of 15% compared to 2010).
The global wind capacity grew by 9,3 % within six months and by 22,9 % on an annual basis (mid-2011 compared with mid-2010). In comparison, the annual growth rate in 2010 was 23,6 %.
Still the five leading countries stand for the lion's share of the world capacity of wind turbines: China, USA, Germany, Spain and India, together representing a total share of 74 % of the global wind capacity. Again in 2011, China continues to dominate the world wind market, adding 8 GW in only 6 months. Within those 6 months, China accounted for 43 % of the world market for new wind turbines. Most of the European markets showed stronger growth in 2011 than in the previous year: The top markets in Europe continue to be Germany with a new capacity of 766MW and reaching a total of 27,981 MW, Spain (484 MW, 21,150MW in total), Italy (460 MW, 6,200MW total), France (400 MW, 6,060MW total), the United Kingdom (504 MW, 5,707 MW) and Portugal (260 MW, 3,960 MW). The US market added 2,252MW between January and June 2011, about 90 % more than in the same period of 2010. Relatively strong growth can be observed in Canada which installed 603MW during the first half of 2011. During the first half of 2011, three countries were added to the list of countries that are using wind energy, increasing the number from 83 to 86: Venezuela, Honduras, and Ethiopia. Also the Dominican Republic installed its first major wind farm and increased its capacity from 0,2MW to 60,2MW. Within Europe, again the emerging markets in Eastern Europe showed the highest growth from January to June 2011, e.g. Romania with 10 % growth (59MW added), Poland with 22 % (245MW added), Croatia with 28 % (20MW added) and Estonia with 32 % (48MW added). A number of countries introduced new and ambitious legislation for wind power, including Ecuador, Japan, Malaysia and Uganda, which adopted systems of feed-in tariffs for the development of renewable energy. Prospects for end of the year 2011: 240 GW of wind cover almost 3 % of the worldwide electricity demand In the second half of 2011, an additional capacity of 25,500MW is expected to be erected worldwide, which would bring new annual installations to 43,900MW.
The global wind capacity grew by 9,3 % within six months and by 22,9 % on an annual basis (mid-2011 compared with mid-2010). In comparison, the annual growth rate in 2010 was 23,6 %.
Still the five leading countries stand for the lion's share of the world capacity of wind turbines: China, USA, Germany, Spain and India, together representing a total share of 74 % of the global wind capacity. Again in 2011, China continues to dominate the world wind market, adding 8 GW in only 6 months. Within those 6 months, China accounted for 43 % of the world market for new wind turbines. Most of the European markets showed stronger growth in 2011 than in the previous year: The top markets in Europe continue to be Germany with a new capacity of 766MW and reaching a total of 27,981 MW, Spain (484 MW, 21,150MW in total), Italy (460 MW, 6,200MW total), France (400 MW, 6,060MW total), the United Kingdom (504 MW, 5,707 MW) and Portugal (260 MW, 3,960 MW). The US market added 2,252MW between January and June 2011, about 90 % more than in the same period of 2010. Relatively strong growth can be observed in Canada which installed 603MW during the first half of 2011. During the first half of 2011, three countries were added to the list of countries that are using wind energy, increasing the number from 83 to 86: Venezuela, Honduras, and Ethiopia. Also the Dominican Republic installed its first major wind farm and increased its capacity from 0,2MW to 60,2MW. Within Europe, again the emerging markets in Eastern Europe showed the highest growth from January to June 2011, e.g. Romania with 10 % growth (59MW added), Poland with 22 % (245MW added), Croatia with 28 % (20MW added) and Estonia with 32 % (48MW added). A number of countries introduced new and ambitious legislation for wind power, including Ecuador, Japan, Malaysia and Uganda, which adopted systems of feed-in tariffs for the development of renewable energy. Prospects for end of the year 2011: 240 GW of wind cover almost 3 % of the worldwide electricity demand In the second half of 2011, an additional capacity of 25,500MW is expected to be erected worldwide, which would bring new annual installations to 43,900MW.