Wind Power
The first mention of wind power dates back to the first century AD. Windmills are known to have been in fairly common use by the seventh century AD. With countries all over the world turning to this renewable resource, it is anticipated that growth in production will only continue to be the environmental trend for sustainable development. Anyone who thinks that wind energy isn’t viable should take a look at some of the interesting wind energy facts about production throughout the world. This form of alternative energy production is becoming a reality and is also gaining popularity.
Worldwide Production
Wind energy is estimated to supply about 1 percent of the world’s power at the present. This number is anticipated to grow. Of all the countries in the world, Denmark’s dominance is noticeable as this Scandinavian nation is the one that has embraced wind power with the widest open of arms. It is estimated that more than 25 percent of Denmark’s energy comes from wind power.
Other European countries fall only a small amount behind Denmark when it comes to production and use of wind power. Countries here that rely rather heavily on wind power include Spain, Portugal and Germany.
USA Interest In Wind Energy
In USA, wind power is also generating strong interest in some states. As of 2007, about 1 percent of energy production in the United States came from wind farms. The state of Texas takes the lead with 8,000 MW of energy production. California, Minnesota, Iowa and Washington trail Texas as leaders in this movement.
U.S. expanded its capacity to produce wind power by 45 percent in the year 2007 alone with a total of 5,422 megawatts of wind energy production capacity added. In year 2008, wind farms in U.S. added another 48 billion kilowatt-hours of power to its capacity. Wind power is now fueling an estimated of 6 million homes in U.S.
Asia Interest In Wind Energy
In Asia, the strongest market is China with 12,000 MW of installed capacity. India is the second largest market in Asia with an installed capacity of 10,000 MW. China more than doubled its total wind power capacity every year since 2006, making herself the sixth largest market worldwide. The Chinese market was boosted by the country’s new Renewable Energy Law, which entered into force in 2006.
Other Asian countries with strong interest and development in Wind Energy are Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines
Major Players
With its longevity in the field for some two decades plus, General Electric (GE) continue its dominance in the wind power market. The company that has electricity in its name is the one that leads production of wind power equipment. GE include its ownership of some 45 percent of the market for new systems installed. GE is continuing to increase her wind power manufacturing facilities, with an estimated of 14 new facilities to manufacture wind power related equipment were announced in 2007.
