WWEA records 21.7 GW of new wind installations in H1 2015

The world added 21.7 GW new wind power capacity in the first six months of the year, bring the total to 393 GW at the end of June, the World Wind Energy Association said.

This year's growth is substantially higher than the figures recorded in the first half of 2014 and 2013, when respectively 17,6 GW and13,9 GW were added.

“The world market for wind power is booming like never before, and we expect new record installations for the total year 2015," said Stefan Gsanger, WWEA Secretary General.

The relatively positive development of the wind markets worldwide was helped by the economic advantages and increasing competitiveness of wind power as well as by the uncertainties regarding the international oil and gas supply and the pressing need to go for emission free technologies in order to mitigate climate change and air pollution among others.

The main growth contributors are again China – with an astonishing growth of more than 10 GW within six months – USA, Germany and India.

Brazil showed the highest growth rate of all major markets.The country has increased its wind power capacity by 14 % since the beginning of this year.

However, several of the European markets are now very flat, WWEA commented. The largest European market Germany expects a major slowdown in the coming one to two years, after the expected regulatory changes come into force.

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