Global wind additions stable in H1, WWEA eyes 500 GW at year-end

The global wind power generation capacity grew by 21,714 MW in the first half of 2016, similar to a year ago, with China, India, Germany and Brazil being the major markets.

A new report by the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) shows the total installed capacity worldwide has reached 456,486 MW as of June 30. Thus, wind farms can now meet as much as 4.7% of global power demand. The organisation expects the global total to hit 500,000 by the end of the year.

The table shows the top 10 markets in terms of new wind capacity in H1 2016.

WWEA said traditional markets’ share of capacity is declining while there is notable growth in Latin America and Africa. Wind capacity in Brazil, for example, surged from 2,788 MW in June 2013 to 9,810 MW in June 2016. Meanwhile, it nearly doubled in the past three years in China, Canada, Poland and Turkey.

However, things are not so bright in countries like Spain. It ranks fifth globally thanks to past expansions but it has installed less than 70 MW between mid-2013 and mid-2016, according to figures by the association. Policy changes have hit the Spanish wind sector hard and the tender for capacity early this year did little to renew confidence.

WWEA warns that the global trend towards auctions is endangering the driving role of small and medium sized players.

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