-
- Preliminary estimates by the Worldwatch Institute suggest
that 35% more wind-power generating capacity came on stream last year than
in 1997.
-
- The Institute, based in Washington DC, reckons that an
extra 2,100 megawatts (MW) of wind power were added to the global total
in 1998.
-
- The turbines added last year have pushed overall wind
capacity globally to 9,600 MW, double what was in place in 1995. The installed
capacity is capable of generating about 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity
- enough for 3.5 million suburban homes.
-
- Billion dollar industry
-
- The wind power industry is also expanding rapidly. Its
sales last year amounted to about $2 billion. The growth in wind energy
is most marked in four countries, according to the Institute - Germany,
Denmark, Spain and the USA.
-
- Germany increased its capacity more than any other country
in 1998, adding 800 MW to reach a total of more than 2,800 MW. The country's
wind industry now produces as much electricity as two of its largest coal-fired
power plants.
-
- Denmark added 235 MW, and its 1,350 MW total now generate
more than 8% of the country's electricity. Danish wind companies are exploiting
the export opportunities - last year they installed more than half the
new wind turbines introduced around the world. Spain added 395MW of wind
power in 1998, raising its overall capacity 86% to 850 MW.
-
- Tax Breaks
-
- Wind power installations in the USA saw about 235 MW
of new capacity added, in 10 different states. Worldwatch says one explanation
for the surge was an attempt to take advantage of a wind energy tax credit
which is due to expire next June.
-
- Worldwatch foresees the greatest potential for wind power
growth in developing countries hungry for power but short of their own
reserves of fossil fuels. It says India is in the lead with more than 900
MW of wind power in place. But development has slowed there in the last
two years because of a suspension of the tax breaks that were introduced
in the mid-1990s.
-
- Worldwatch expects the industry to grow still faster
during 1999, with at least 2,500 MW likely to be installed.
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