WWEA publishes Half-year Report 2012 - World Wind Energy Association

World Wind Capacity has crossed 250 Gigawatt

– 16,5 GW of new installations in the first half of 2012, after 18,4 GW in 2011

– Worldwide wind capacity has reached 254 GW, 273 GW expected for full year

– Slowdown in China leads to global decrease, additional uncertainties in several key markets

Bonn (WWEA) – The worldwide wind capacity reached 254’000 MW by the end of June 2012, out of which 16’546 MW were added in the first six months of 2012. This increase represents 10 % less than in the first half of 2011, when 18’405 MW were added.

The global wind capacity grew by 7% within six months (2% less than the same period in 2011) and by 16,4 % on an annual basis (mid-2012 compared with mid-2011). In comparison, the annual growth rate in 2011 was 20,3 %.

Download the complete report here

Prof. He Dexin, WWEA President: “Wind technology has become a pillar of the electricity supply scheme of many countries – just recently, Denmark announced a world record wind power share of 28 % in the country’s electricity supply. This success of wind power has become possible because of wise supportive policies by governments on the one hand and because of innovation and cost reduction by the wind industry on the other hand. Today, wind power can compete with any other source of energy, without causing environmental problems. WWEA calls on all governments not to reduce but to strengthen their efforts so that more investment in wind power can be done.”

Stefan Gsänger, WWEA Secretary General: “The wind industry, without doubt, is currently in a dicult situation. Political uncertainties in some of the key markets, namely in the USA, Spain and India, are major matters of concern. At the same time, China has reached its maximum speed of installing new wind farms, although the Chinese market still continues to be much bigger than any other country. However, this leads to strong pressure on Chinese manufacturers and will further increase pressure on wind turbine prices worldwide. More countries should now make use of the low cost of wind power and implement the technology as fast as possible.”