The world’s installed wind power capacity is expected to reach close to 200 GW by the end of 2010,with another 40 GW of capacity added this year, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

 

Steve Sawyer, GWEC secretary-general, said strong growth in China had compensated for a decline in US orders.

 

“Overall, wind energy continues to be a growth market, weathering the economic crisis much better than some analysts had predicted,” he said.

 

In its five -year market outlook, GWEC has predicted that global wind power will double between 2010 and 2014, reaching more than 400 GW.

 

The growth increase will continue to be driven by demand from China, the US and Europe, but new countries were also entering the market.  

 

“As wind power is becoming more competitive, it is rapidly expanding beyond the traditional markets in North America and Europe. In fact, around half of the growth is now happening in emerging economies and developing countries,” said Sawyer.

 

“We are seeing very encouraging signs from countries in Latin America, including Brazil, Mexico and Chile, as well as Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa.”