Global Wind Energy Capacity Reaches 456 GW, Set To Hit 500 GW By Year-End

Global wind energy capacity reached 456 GW at the half-year mark of 2016, and is set to hit 500 GW by the end of the year, according to new figures from the World Wind Energy Association.

Published this week, the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) released its half-year report, revealing that 21 GW of new wind installations were completed during the first half of the year, bringing the global cumulative total up to 456 GW. Further, the WWEA predict that global wind capacity will reach 500 GW by the end of the year.

“Wind power shows robust growth also in the year 2016, and the good news is especially that we can see strong markets now also in Latin America and in Africa,” said Stefan Gsänger, WWEA Secretary General.

“With the expected 500 GW installed wind capacity by end of this year, wind power will contribute 5 % to the global power supply. A major reason of concern is, however, the global trend towards auctions which is endangering the driving role of small and medium sized players. It has already slowed down most of the European markets, so that Europe has already lost its long-term leadership to Asia.”

Unsurprisingly, five countries remain the leaders of global wind capacity — China, the US, Germany, India, and Spain, together representing 67% of the global wind capacity. However, with each year that passes, the traditional iron-grip these countries have on wind yields somewhat — in June 2013, these five countries had 73% of the total market for wind capacity.

As for new capacity installed during the first half of the year, Spain and the United States only contributed 4% of the overall, while Germany and India added nearly 5 GW between them. China, on the other hand, is said to have installed 10 GW in the first half of the year.