New Zealand Wind Energy Association

Currently, 48 percent of total wind energy capacity is in Europe, with 24 percent in North America and 25 percent in Asia. Wind energy is one of the fastest growing forms of new electricity generation throughout the world, with capacity growing on an annual basis at around 30%.

The International Energy Agency expects global electricity demand to grow by 1.5 to 2.5 percent per year. Much of this increased demand will be met with wind energy as it is a cost effective and proven solution that is available today. 

Growth in wind energy

During 2009 wind energy capacity throughout the world grew by 31 percent, up from 120,800 megawatts (MW) to 158,505 MW– or over 17 times New Zealand’s total electricity generation capacity. Wind energy was the largest source of new electricity generation in Europe, and was about equal with natural gas in the USA.

The Global Wind Energy Council predicts that in 2014 global wind energy capacity will stand at 409,000 MW.

Find out more about global wind capacity - click on the graphs below to enlarge.

Source: Global Wind Energy Council

Global installed wind power capacity

In the coming years, significant growth is expected in Asia, with Asia expected to overtake Europe as the region with largest installed capacity by 2014. Industry growth in Asia is fuelled by activity in China, which added a staggering 13.8 gigawatts of new capacity in 2009.

In Europe, offshore wind farms are set to account for an increasing share of new capacity. 

Here in New Zealand, wind energy capacity will continue to increase in line with international trends. By the mid 2011 capacity will have increased to about 610 MW, up from 497 MW at the end of 2009.

You can find our more about the status of the international wind energy industry in the Global Wind Energy Council's Global Wind Report.