March 16, 2007—The global installed capacity to generate power from wind energy reached 74,223 megawatts (MW) in 2006, a 32 percent increase, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). The United States now has the third-largest amount of installed wind power capacity, with 11,603 MW, and is leading in terms of growth, with 2,454 MW.
Germany still has the highest capacity with 20,621 MW, followed by Spain (11,615 MW), the US (11,603 MW), India (6,270 MW), and Denmark (3,136). Thirteen countries around the world can now be counted among those with over 1000 MW of wind capacity, with France and Canada reaching this threshold in 2006, notes GWEC.
Wind capacity is growing fastest in the US, with 2,454 MW of new wind power plants, followed by Germany (2,233 MW), India (1,840 MW), Spain (1,587 MW), China (1,347 MW), and France (810 MW). According to GWEC, this development shows that new players such as France and China are gaining ground.
The GWEC notes that the industry faced supply constraints for new wind turbines in 2006, but it sees the rapid rate of growth as a sign that the global wind energy industry is responding quickly to its manufacturing challenges.
For more information visit GWEC.
