Global wind power capacity tops 250 GW - WWEA

Oct 9, 2012 - Wind power capacity around the world has reaching 254 GW at the end of June, the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) said in its half-year report on Sunday.

A total 16.5 GW of capacity was installed in the first six months of the year, a 10% decline compared with the year-ago period, when new installations were 18.4 GW.

The world's wind capacity expanded by 16.4% compared with June 2011, down from an annual growth rate of 20.3% last year. WWEA predicts that it will reach 273 GW by the end of 2012.

The deceleration was attributed to a slowdown in the Chinese market. Political uncertainties in key markets such as the US, Spain and India are contributing to the difficult situation now faced by the sector, according to the announcement. WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsaenger said China had reached its peak speed of new wind farm installations, though it remained by far the largest market. This was putting severe pressure on Chinese manufacturers and would add to pressure on global wind turbine prices, Gsaenger added.

According to the report, the top five markets -- China, the US, Germany, Spain and India -- accounted for 74% of the world's wind capacity. The 10 leading markets showed divergent performances in the first half. The US, Germany, Italy, France and the UK saw year-on-year increases in new installed wind capacity, the Indian market was flat, while China, Spain, Canada and Portugal recorded contractions. China added 5.4 GW in the period, down from 8 GW in the prior year.

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