|
What is the share of wind energy in worldwide production of
electricity
today? As a measure, we can use statistics of electricity production capacity, known as installed power. These figures are given in Megawatts (MW, millions of Watts, 106 W) or in Gigawatts (GW, billions of Watts, 109 W).
The total installed electrical production capacity worldwide was 3 870 GW in 2005. The production capacity of wind-based electricity reached 93.7 GW in 2007, that is to say a little more than 2% of the total. Not a lot, but it is growing rapidly: 17.7 GW in 2000, 39.4 GW in 2003, 74.4 GW in 2006, in other words, more than a fivefold increase in 7 years and an increase of 26% in the last year of the period. What more is there to say? It is a renewable energy source as yet little exploited.
Which are the major producing zones of electricity from wind worldwide ?
| Countries / Zones |
Installed power
in 2006 (GW) |
Installed power
in 2007 (GW) |
Progression
2006-2007 (%) |
| European Union |
48.12 |
56.35 |
+ 17% |
| Rest of Europe |
0.56 |
0.67 |
+ 20% |
| United States |
11.60 |
16.82 |
+ 45% |
| Canada |
1.46 |
1.77 |
+ 21% |
| India |
6.27 |
8.00 |
+ 28% |
| Japan |
1.39 |
1.40 |
+ 1% |
| China |
2.59 |
6.00 |
+ 232% |
| Rest of Asia |
0.39 |
0.39 |
0 |
| Rest of the world |
1.99 |
2.28 |
+ 15% |
| World TOTAL |
74.39 |
93.68 |
+ 26% |
Sources : EurObserER 2008/AWEA 2008/Wind Power monthly/GWEC
The European Union is far and away the leading producer of electricity from wind (60% of the world total). In general terms, wind energy is at present an energy source for rich countries. These latter are responsible for 82% of world production. However, the two highly-populated Asian giants, India and above all China, are pulling out all the stops in their efforts to increase production, as they attempt to reduce their dependence on fossil energy sources!
Within the European Union, some countries have made more progress than others in the direction of wind energy development.
| Countries |
Installed power
in 2006 (GW) |
Installed power
in 2007 (GW) |
Progression
2006-2007 (%) |
Installed power KWh /
1.000 hbts
(2007) |
| Germany |
20.62 |
22.25 |
+ 8% |
269 |
| Spain |
11.63 |
15.15 |
+ 30% |
345 |
| Danemark |
3.14 |
3.14 |
0 |
576 |
| Italy |
2.12 |
2.72 |
+ 28% |
47 |
| France |
1.74 |
2.46 |
+ 41% |
40 |
| United Kingdom |
1.96 |
2.36 |
+ 20% |
40 |
| Portugal |
1.68 |
2.15 |
+ 28% |
203 |
| Netherlands |
1.56 |
1.75 |
+ 12% |
106 |
| Austria |
0.96 |
0.98 |
+ 2% |
120 |
| Greece |
0.75 |
0.87 |
+ 16% |
78 |
| Ireland |
0.75 |
0.80 |
+ 7% |
192 |
| Sweden |
0.52 |
0.65 |
+ 25% |
72 |
| Other countries |
0.70 |
1.05 |
+ 50% |
- |
| Total EU 27 |
48.12 |
56.35 |
+ 17% |
102 |
Source : EurObser’ER 2008
The leader is our neighbour, Germany, with 22.3 GW of installed power (almost a quarter of world capacity!). This figure represents almost 18% of the country’s total
electricity
production capacity, which shows that wind energy need not necessarily be just a tiny stream in a huge energy river.
Behind Germany is Spain with 15.2 GW, more than a fifth of the country’s total capacity - for a country that has half the number of inhabitants this figure is comparable to Germany.
Next comes a tiny country that has dedicated enormous efforts to the wind energy sector: Denmark, with 3.1 GW, 25% of its electricity production capacity! It is also the country which has by far the largest installed capacity per 1000 inhabitants. The Danish peninsula is swept by North Sea winds and our Danish friends know how to make the most of the situation. Then follows an emerging country, India, with 3 GW representing 2.5% of its total production capacity, a notable effort for a part of the developing world.
And where is France in all that? A long way behind, with its 2.46MW of installed wind power, that is to say 2.1% of the total electricity capacity of the country. But our country has made considerable efforts in recent years to make up for its initial shortcomings and, at last, now seems to have decided to run with the wind! |