Wind Around the World
Pictured left to right: Adrienne Esposito of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Legislator Jon Cooper, Jens Larsen, and Gordian Raacke of Renewable Energy Long Island. Photo: Robert Kelly Photography
A Conversation with Jens Larsen, Copenhagen Environment and Energy Office
On August 31, 2006 WindWorks Long Island sponsored the first ever Danish offshore wind seminar at the Huntington Cinema Arts Centre with Mr. Jens Larsen of the Copenhagen Environment and Energy Office. Mr. Larsen traveled from Denmark to the US, stopping on Cape Cod and Long Island to host a unique and important discussion about wind energy and his experience with the Middelgrunden Offshore Wind Farm in Copenhagen.
Mr. Larsen engaged his audience in an informative presentation and discussion which addressed many concerns from residents and elected leaders regarding the future of offshore wind power for Long Island.
Global Wind Capacity update for 2007
According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), global wind power markets increased 32% in 2006, with installations of 15,197 MW in equipment, up from 11,769 MW in 2005.
End of 2006 Report:
Total installed wind power capacity – 74,223 MW worldwide in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Europe is still leading the market with 48,545MW, representing 65% of the global total.
Top 5 countries with installed wind power – year end 2006:
- Germany – 20,621 MW
- USA – 11,699 MW
- Spain – 11,615 MW
- India – 6,270 MW
- Denmark – 3,136 MW
Asia has experienced the strongest increase in installed capacity outside of Europe with over 10,500 MW throughout the continent, including CHINA with 2,604 MW of wind capacity.
Europe 2007 Wind capacity update
The wind industry has achieved the goal set by the European Commission for 2010 by 5 years. The European Commission White Paper (1997) set mandatory goals for 40,000 GW of wind power (12%) in the 15 countries of the European Union by 2010 and a goal of 20% by 2020.
End of 2006 Report:
19% increase to over 48,000 MW with 7,588 MW of new wind power capacity added in 2006, an increase of 23% compared to 2005. EWEA estimates that Europe accounted for 50% of global wind capacity installed during 2006.
Top 5 wind energy markets in Europe / 2006:
- GERMANY – 2,233 MW new / Total of 20,621 MW
- SPAIN – 1,587 MW new / Total of 11,615 MW
- FRANCE – 810 MW new / Total 1,567 MW
- PORTUGAL – 694 MW new / total of 1,716 MW
- UNITED KINGDOM – 634MW new / total of 1,987 MW
Germany and Spain each have more than 10 Gigawatts of wind energy.
Denmark, Italy, UK, Netherlands, Portugal each have more than 1 Gigawatt of wind energy.
United States 2007 Wind capacity update
Wind energy generation in the US increased 27% in 2006 with 2,454 MW of new facilities installled. AWEA is forecasting another 3,000 MW of new development over 2007.
Leaders in wind capacity installed 2006:
The top five states in new installations are:
- Texas (774 MW)
- Washington (428 MW)
- California (212 MW)
- New York (185 MW)
- Minnesota (150 MW)
Updated by seckel 3/31/10