Global Wind Power to Exceed 45GW In 2014? • MWPS World News

What was the total world-wide capacity for wind power installations last year? Preliminary estimates, yet to be verified, indicate that 34-35 GW of capacity was installed in 2013. This is according to Steve Sawyer the Secretary-General of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). In fact, for the first time in nearly ten years it seems that global demand fell- largely because of a tail-off in demand in two countries; the United States and China. However, it is anticipated that 2014 will be better than 2013, with better growth in these two key countries and through demand from some emerging markets. GWEC’s initial expectations for 2014 are for 45-48 GW.

The largest variable (as has been the case for some years now) will continue to be the extent of US recovery. Turning to Europe it was Germany and the UK that continued to drive the market forward, although there were significant installations from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland and Turkey. It is also expected that China was shaking off some sloth and re-awaken as one of the biggest influences on the global wind power market.

London ArrayIn Europe, 2014 is likely to be a little bumpy because some anticipated demand has fallen away (such as the UK’s extension for the London Array) as subsidies and green policies come into focus as elections near and fracking and nuclear power seemed to be gaining favour in some quarters. It is likely that many European countries will concentrate on offshore wind farms, despite the increased cost, as prime sites onshore become more scarce (or subject to local objection).

Spain and Italy seem less fired up in developing wind power than say Scotland and Germany. Indeed Germany’s offshore wind market should have a good year in 2014 to balance a decreasing onshore sector. However, even here plans for 2020 have been scaled back from 8 GW to 6.5 GW because of delays and grid connections.

With the UK licensing up to 40 GW of potential offshore wind areas against a 2020 target of just 10 GW capacity, there are likely to be some projects falling by the wayside. That 19GW target has already been revised down from the 18 GW stated in the government’s renewables roadmap issued in 2011.

The EU not only needs to take stock of how countries are progressing towards 2020 targets but also what targets to set beyond 2020. Initial discussions will begin in a few weeks but an agreement and new targets are unlikely to be agreed until next year.

In the US market, it is hoped 2014 will be better than in 2013. As an example, Iberdrola Renewables says it has more than 500 MW in late-stage development beginning construction and its 202-MW Baffin Wind Farm in Kenedy County, Texas (picture below) will be online by year’s end, making the complex’s combined 606 MW wind power the company’s largest renewable energy facility worldwide.