Global new wind capacity seen nearly flat in 2010, rising 21% Y/Y in 2011

(ADPnews) - Oct 29, 2010 - New wind power installations worldwide this year are to decline by 2% on 2009 levels to 37.7 GW, but to surge by 21% year-on-year to 45 GW in 2011, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

The sector is to keep growing in the coming years, with some 48 GW to be added in 2012-2013, the news service said on Thursday. New offshore wind capacity is projected to grow by over 100% through 2013, jumping from 1.3 GW to 3.3 GW each year. Europe is seen as a leader in the area, bringing 80% of offshore installations mainly in Germany and the UK.

There is a huge difference in growth rates across different regions, although 2010 figures are almost flat on the year. Rapidly growing countries in emerging markets are among the leaders in new wind capacity. In 2010, China is seen as the worldwide leader with wind power installations rising 25% on the record high 14,000 MW in 2009, while attracting nearly 50% of all wind project investments during the quarter through September.

In contrast to China's growth, installations in the US for 2010 are projected to drop 39%, due to the results of the global downturn, low electricity prices, and uncertain government policy in the medium-to-long term. US investment in almost all types of green energy remained weak, with only USD 4.4 billion (EUR 3.2bn) spent on clean power in the third quarter of 2010, down from USD 5.1 billion in the preceding quarter.

Prices of wind turbines remained low this year, Bloomberg New Energy Finance writes, as the average price for turbines in 2010 stood at USD 1.4 million for a megawatt. In 2008 the figure was USD 1.79 million a megawatt. Prices are to keep going down, as manufacturing capacity in all regions in significantly higher than demand.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.718)

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