Wind energy is one of the fastest growing forms of electricity generation throughout the world.

Benefits drive growth in wind energy

Around the globe, people are investing in wind energy because it helps to:

• address climate change as it is a carbon-free means of generating electricity
• provide certainty in electricity prices because the cost of wind energy is not affected by rising fossil fuel prices
• increase energy security by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and diversifying the sources of electricity generation.

Many countries are introducing renewable energy targets in recognition of the benefits of renewable energy.

• Australia is aiming for 20% renewable electricity by 2020.
• The European Union’s target of 20% renewable energy by 2020 is reflected in a range of targets for its member states.
• China’s national target of 15 percent by 2020 includes a sub-target of 30 000 MW of wind energy capacity. To meet this target China needs to triple its renewable energy capacity by 2020.

Renewable energy targets will be a major driver of growth in wind energy.

During 2007, wind energy capacity throughout the world grew by 27 percent to 94 000MW – or over 10 times New Zealand’s total capacity to generate electricity. Here in New Zealand we have only 321.8 MW of wind energy capacity.

60 percent of global wind energy capacity is in Europe. The Global Wind Energy Council predicts that by 2014 there will be 240 000MW of wind energy capacity throughout the world. A significant portion of this growth will be in North America and Asia.

In the US, growth is driven by a mixture of state and federal incentives, encouraging the supply of renewable energy, and the competitiveness of wind compared with increasingly expensive gas. (Here in New Zealand, wind energy does not receive government subsidies.)

In Asia, the wind energy market has been spurred as much by the sheer growth in demand for more electricity to supply new industries as by wind’s environmental benefits.

Global wind energy capacity at the end of 2007 (Source: Global Wind Energy Council)

Annual growth in wind energy capacity, 1996-2007 (Source: Global Wind Energy Council)

Global installed wind energy capacity (Source: Global Wind Energy Council)

Global Wind 2007 Report, Global Wind Energy Council
This report contains information about wind energy in over 70 countries, as well as a forecast for the coming five years (2008-2012). In addition, 22 country reports give insights into policy and industry developments in established and emerging wind markets.

Renewables 2007 Global Status Report
The Renewables 2007 Global Status Report examines renewable energy markets, policies, industries and rural applications around the world. It was prepared by the Renewable Energy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) in collaboration with the Worldwatch Institute.

BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2007
This review contains information about current and historical energy trends. The 2007 edition includes data up to the end of 2006.

Wind Energy in New Zealand
Have a look at the project page on this website to find out about wind energy in New Zealand.

New Zealand Energy Data File
This report includes data and information on New Zealand's energy sector, including statistics on supply and demand by fuel types, energy balance tables, pricing information and international comparisons. The Ministry of Economic Development produces this publication annually.

New Zealand Energy Quarterly
This short report provides a quarterly summary of statistics on the supply of major fuels, pricing information and greenhouse gas emissions. The Ministry of Economic Development produces this publication quarterly.

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