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1999 IS BEST YEAR EVER
FOR GLOBAL WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY
Germany, U.S.,
Spain and Denmark lead in new development;
AWEA expects more broad-based growth in next decade
The global wind energy industry
is turning in a record-breaking performance to ring in the new millennium,
according to a new report by the Washington, D.C.-based American Wind
Energy Association. See the Full Text
of the Report
Preliminary estimates indicate
that during 1999 more than 3,600 megawatts (MW) of new wind energy
generating capacity were installed worldwide, bringing total installed
capacity to the 13,400 MW range. This represents the largest-ever
worldwide addition to wind generating capacity in a single year.
"It's clear that wind
energy is positioning itself to be a strong player in the energy
marketplace of the 21st century," said AWEA Executive Director
Randall Swisher. "We see a growing demand for this abundant,
affordable, and clean energy technology."
Report highlights:
- The rebirth of the U.S.
market is a leading factor in the end-of-decade's record growth.
From mid-1998 to the end of 1999, some 925 MW of new generating capacity
were installed, more than twice the amount added in 1985, the previous
record year in the U.S. (442 MW). In addition, nearly 200 MW of existing
capacity were "repowered," with new turbines replacing older,
less efficient ones.
Example of new 1999 U.S.
project: The world's
largest wind farms, on Buffalo Ridge in Storm Lake, Iowa (193 MW) and
Lake Benton, Minnesota (Lake Benton I-107.25 MW); dedicated September
1999; developed by Enron Wind Corp.; electricity from Lake Benton I is
sold to Northern States Power Co. at
an average cost of 3 cents/kWh.
- Germany, the U.S., Spain and
Denmark account for some 80% of the new wind energy capacity addition
in 1999,
and for
over 70% of current wind energy generating capacity worldwide. Germany
added 1,200 MW in 1999; the U.S. added 732 MW; Spain, which added 650
MW, may soon overtake Germany's position as the leading growing market
as it is aggressively promoting wind development and has more land
available to do so; Denmark added 300 MW.
- Some countries and regions
now rely on wind energy for 10% or more of their electricity,
including Denmark,
(10%
of the country's electricity currently comes from wind, and the country
has a goal of supplying 50% of their electricity from renewable energy
including wind by 2030); Spain (over 20%of electricity comes from
wind in the region of Navarra); and Germany (over 15% of
electricity comes from wind in the region of
Schleswig-Holstein).
Small wind systems (under 100kW
in capacity), which power homes and small businesses including farms and
ranches, did very well in 1999.
Preliminary estimates indicate that such systems now make up some 15 MW of
generating capacity in the U.S. Worldwide, the market for such systems
grew at a 35% rate in 1999. Four U.S. manufacturers command an estimated
30% market share worldwide.
Uneven development concentrated
in half-dozen leading markets is likely to be replaced by more balanced
growth, as more
countries, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Morocco, Norway,
Turkey and the Philippines join or move up the wind energy roster in the
years ahead.
The full report, including
a table of the Top Ten Wind Energy Markets is available from AWEA and is posted on our website.
Get the Report Here.
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AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy
industry. The association's membership of more than 700 includes turbine
manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested
individuals from 49 states. More information on wind energy is available
from the home page
of the AWEA web site: http://www.awea.org
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