Wind power is widely known as a powerful renewable energy source and, when compared to other alternative fuel sources in the last few years, it is the one source that appears to have benefited most from the current trend of rising oil prices. Further additions to wind power capacity shot up by almost 30,000 megawatts in 2008/9 compared to 20,000 in 2007/8. Indeed, the general fortunes of the wind power sector have been steadily encouraging throughout the past decade, with capacity traveling in a steadily upward direction.
The main countries leading the world in developing the wind energy sector are energy-deprived BRIC countries like India and China.
China added more than 6,300 megawatts of wind energy during 2008/9, with India also boosting its capacity by almost 2,000 megawatts, making China and India the 2nd and 3rd biggest investors in the sector, respectively. The other BRIC countries, Brazil and Russia, have lagged far behind up to this point.
The global rankings of wind energy producers saw a reshuffle in the past two years, with the U.S. emerging as a global leader, pushing Germany into second place. The U.S., having added around 8,000 megawatts of wind energy capacity up to 2009, increased its total wind energy capacity to over 25,000 megawatts.
However, Europe is still considered the guardian and home front of wind energy development and usage. Because wind energy is used widely across all European nations, the capacity for wind-driven power in the region means that it matches the levels seen in Asia and North America on a regular basis.
The country is hoping to have over 200 megawatts produced by wind power projects, signaling possible investments of over $500 million. Studies conducted by the WWF suggest that the countries potential wind power capacity might well exceed 7,000 megawatts over the more than 1,000 sites surveyed nationwide.
The main countries leading the world in developing the wind energy sector are energy-deprived BRIC countries like India and China.
China added more than 6,300 megawatts of wind energy during 2008/9, with India also boosting its capacity by almost 2,000 megawatts, making China and India the 2nd and 3rd biggest investors in the sector, respectively. The other BRIC countries, Brazil and Russia, have lagged far behind up to this point.
The global rankings of wind energy producers saw a reshuffle in the past two years, with the U.S. emerging as a global leader, pushing Germany into second place. The U.S., having added around 8,000 megawatts of wind energy capacity up to 2009, increased its total wind energy capacity to over 25,000 megawatts.
However, Europe is still considered the guardian and home front of wind energy development and usage. Because wind energy is used widely across all European nations, the capacity for wind-driven power in the region means that it matches the levels seen in Asia and North America on a regular basis.
The country is hoping to have over 200 megawatts produced by wind power projects, signaling possible investments of over $500 million. Studies conducted by the WWF suggest that the countries potential wind power capacity might well exceed 7,000 megawatts over the more than 1,000 sites surveyed nationwide.
