[Sustain] Fwd: Wind Power Growth Blows Past Projections

[Eric Brooks]

Begin forwarded message:
> *From: *Darcey Rakestraw <DRakestraw at worldwatch.org 
> <mailto:DRakestraw at worldwatch.org>>
> *Date: *April 10, 2008 5:23:07 AM PDT
> *To: *Darcey Rakestraw <DRakestraw at worldwatch.org 
> <mailto:DRakestraw at worldwatch.org>>
> *Subject: **Wind Power Growth Blows Past Projections*
>
> *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
>
> *Thursday, April 10, 2008*
>
> Contact: Darcey Rakestraw
>
> (+1) 202.452.1992 x517
>
> drakestraw at worldwatch.org <mailto:drakestraw at worldwatch.org>
>
>
> *Wind Power Growth Blows Past Projections*
>
> *Washington, D.C.—*Global wind power capacity rose 27 percent in 2007 
> to more than 94,100 megawatts, led by capacity additions in the 
> European Union, the United States, and China, according to the latest 
> /_Vital Sign Update_/ <http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5448> from the 
> Worldwatch Institute.
>
> New wind installations were second only to natural gas in the United 
> States as an additional source of power capacity and were the leading 
> source of new capacity in the EU. In China, the estimated 3,449 
> megawatts of wind turbines added last year propelled China past the 
> government’s ambitious wind power target for 2010.
>
> The addition of a record-breaking 5,244 megawatts of wind capacity in 
> the United States in 2007—enough to power 4.5 million U.S. homes—was 
> driven by the federal production tax credit and by renewable energy 
> mandates in 25 states and the District of Columbia. The nation’s wind 
> capacity now totals 16,818 megawatts, second only to Germany. The 
> production tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year. “If 
> Congress acts quickly to extend the tax credit, the U.S. will likely 
> pass Germany to lead the world in wind power within the next two 
> years,” according to Janet Sawin, a Worldwatch senior researcher and 
> the author of the update.
>
> Germany remains the world leader in wind power capacity, with almost 
> 24 percent of the global total (22,247 megawatts), but it experienced 
> a lackluster year in 2007. Still, renewable energy resources now 
> generate more than 14 percent of Germany’s electricity needs, with 
> about half of this coming from wind. Spain led Europe in new 
> installations in 2007, now ranking third worldwide in total wind 
> capacity (15,145 megawatts). France, Italy, Portugal, and the United 
> Kingdom all experienced significant growth last year as well. In all, 
> EU wind power capacity rose 18 percent in 2007, and the region is home 
> to 60 percent of global installed capacity.
>
> China was the biggest surprise in 2007. Barely in the wind business 
> three years ago, China trailed only the United States and Spain in new 
> wind installations in 2007, and ranked fifth in total installed 
> capacity (6,050 megawatts). However, an estimated one-fourth of this 
> capacity remains unconnected to the grid due to planning problems.
>
> This explosive growth occurred amidst a backdrop of serious turbine 
> shortages, a challenge that is expected to be ameliorated sometime in 
> 2009. Despite higher costs due to turbine shortages, rising material 
> costs, and increased manufacturing profitability, wind power remains 
> competitive with new natural gas plants, and all conventional power 
> plants have seen similar construction-cost increases. Wind power will 
> become increasingly competitive with coal as more countries put a 
> commodity price on carbon.
>
> The global wind market was worth an estimated $36 billion in 2007, 
> accounting for almost half of all investment in new renewable electric 
> and heating capacity. As many as 200,000 people are now employed in 
> the wind industry worldwide. These numbers will only rise in the 
> coming years as the EU seeks to meet aggressive 2020 targets for 
> renewables and as the United States, China, and other nations realize 
> their enormous potential for wind power.
>
> “The wind industry has consistently blown by past projections,” says 
> Sawin, “and it will likely continue to do so for years to come.”
>
> —END—
>
>  
>
> *Note to Editors:  *
>
> *To obtain the text of the full**/ Update/**, visit* 
> *_http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5448_**.*
>
> *To interview Janet Sawin, please contact Darcey Rakestraw at* 
> *_drakestraw at worldwatch.org_* <mailto:drakestraw at worldwatch.org>* or 
> (+1) 202.452.1992 x517.*
>
> *Worldwatch E-mail list:* If you would like to receive Worldwatch 
> press advisories regularly or wish to be removed from this mailing 
> list, please send your request to Darcey Rakestraw at 
> drakestraw at worldwatch.org <mailto:drakestraw at worldwatch.org> or call 
> (+1) 202.452.1992 x517.
>
> About the Worldwatch Institute:* The Worldwatch Institute is an 
> independent research organization based in Washington, D.C. Through 
> accessible, fact-based analysis of critical global issues, Worldwatch 
> helps to inform people around the world about the complex interactions 
> among people, nature, and economies. For more information, visit 
> www.worldwatch.org <http://www.worldwatch.org>.*
>
> Darcey Rakestraw
>
> Communications Director, Worldwatch Institute
>
> 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 800
>
> Washington, DC 20036
>
> phone: 202-452-1992 x 517
>
> cel: 202-210-0152
>
> fax: 202-296-7365
>
> _drakestraw at worldwatch.org_ <mailto:drakestraw at worldwatch.org>
>
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