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HUSUM, Belgium, September 28, 2005 (Refocus Weekly) The wind energy industry has reached the milestone of 50 GW of installed capacity around the world, and now generates 100 TWh of green power.
Total installations last year were 8,154 MW of turbines, an increase of 20% over 2003, says the Global Wind Energy Council. The group is calling for stronger national and international policies to support the global expansion of wind as part of the range of policy options required to tackle climate change.
“Wind energy has now reached the milestone of 50 GW of worldwide installed capacity and the industry is ready for a broader roll out,” says Arthouros Zervos of GWEC. “Wind energy has the maturity, clout and global muscle to deliver deep cuts in CO2, while providing a hedge against fluctuating fossil fuel prices and reduce energy import dependence.”
“The global energy challenge of our time is not only to tackle climate change, but to meet the rising demand for energy and to safeguard security of energy supplies,” he adds. “As a power technology which can meet these three challenges, wind energy is a leading candidate.”
The wind industry, in its latest annual assessment called ‘Wind Force 12,’ claims that generating 12% of the world’s electricity from wind would reduce CO2 emissions by 1,832 megatonne by 2020. The value of the global turbine market would grow from the current Euro 8 billion to and Euro 16 billion by 2010 and Euro 80 billion by 2020.
The global industry currently employs 100,000 people, the group explains. The cost of generating electricity from wind has dropped 50% in the past 15 years and, based on current trends in major markets, it will be cost-competitive with conventional fuels within a decade.
Turbines have advanced since the prototypes of 25 years ago, and a single turbine now can produce 200 times more power than its equivalent of two decades ago.
“Wind energy is capable of continuing its successful history over the next two decades if positive political and regulatory frameworks are implemented, removing the obstacles and market distortions that currently constrain the industry’s real potential,” explains GWEC. “The success of the industry to date has been largely created by the efforts of a handful of countries, led by Germany, Spain and Denmark. There are other 13 key countries around the world that can play a leadership role to help unlock global growth opportunities,” including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Poland, Turkey, the UK and the U.S.
The International Energy Agency estimates that the world’s demand for electricity could double by 2030, which would require 4,800 GW of new capacity at a cost of Euro 10 trillion in power generation, transmission and distribution. By 2030, the power sector could emit 45% of global carbon emissions.
“Wind power does not need to be invented, nor is there need to wait for any magical breakthrough; it is ready for global implementation now,” says GWEC. “Modern windfarms are already being built that provide bulk power equivalent to conventional power stations.”
GWEC was formed as the global forum for the wind energy sector, and member associations represent all the turbine manufacturers in the world and 99% of the 50,000 MW of global installed capacity.
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