Nicosia, Feb 12: A record 20,000 MW of wind power were installed world-wide last year, with the United States, Spain and China providing the biggest annual increases, the Global Energy Council (GWEC) said.

World-wide wind power installed capacity stands at a record ,94,112 MW.

Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Brussels-based Global Energy Council, in a statement issued on February 6, said that the growth rates in wind energy continue to exceed the Council's most optimistic expectations.

"Globally, wind energy has become a mainstream energy source and an important player in the world's energy markets, and it now contributes to the energy mix in more than 70 countries across the globe," Sawyer added.

The US reported a record 5,244 MW installed in 2007, more than double the 2006 figure, accounting for about 30 per cent of the country's new power-producing capacity in
2007.

Overall US wind power generating capacity grew 45 per cent in 2007, with total installed capacity now standing at 16.8 GW. It can be expected that the US will overtake Germany as the leader on wind energy by the end of 2009.

China added 3,449 MW of wind energy capacity during 2007, representing market growth of 156 per cent over 2006, and now ranks fifth in installed wind energy capacity with over 6,000 MW at the end of 2007.

Based on current growth rates, the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association (CREIA) forecasts a capacity of around 50,000 MW by 2015.

The big surprise in the European market was Spain with 3,515 MW of new capacity installed in 2007, earning it second place globally after the US. Total installed wind energy capacity now stands at over 15 GW in Spain.

The capacity of new wind turbines brought on line across Europe last year was 8,662 MW. Total wind power capacity installed by the end of 2007 reached 57,135 MW and will avoid about 90 million tons of CO2 annually and produce 119 TWh in an average wind year.

"It is positive that wind energy is now increasing more than any other power technology in Europe, making up 40 per cent of total new power installations," according to Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive.

The top five countries in terms of installed capacity are Germany (22.3 GW), the US (16.8 GW), Spain (15.1 GW), India (8 GW) and China (6.1 GW).

In terms of economic value, the global wind market in 2007 was worth about 25bn EUR or 36 billion US dollars in new generating equipment. (ANI)