For the first time in history the capacity of wind power generation
surpassed nuclear energy, according to data released by global industry
bodies.
According to the Global Wind Energy Council, wind power generation
worldwide reached 432.42 gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2015 while the
global nuclear power generation capacity was 382.55 gigawatts as of Jan.
1, 2016, according to the London-based World Nuclear Association said.
The capacity of wind power generation worldwide increased by 17
percent compared with 2014. According to the Brussels based
organization, the generation capacity of newly constructed wind farms is
at record 63.01 gigawatts, corresponding to about 60 nuclear reactors.
According to the Energy Council, China lead all other countries in
wind energy capacity with 145.10 GW. Moreover, in 2015 China installed
30,500 MW of new wind power, compared to the world total of 63,000 MW.
China officially surpassed the European Union, the traditional leader
in the global wind power sector. However, judging on percentage
capacity, China had the largest installed electricity generation
capacity in the world with 1505 GW with some 80 percent coming from
coal.
Behind China, there are the United States with 74.47 GW, Germany with 44.95 GW, India with 25.09 GW and Spain with 23.03 GW.
Paris climate change deal
In December’s Paris Climate Change Deal, the policy makers agreed to
fundamentally transform the world’s energy systems making them less
reliant on fusil fuels.
Giles Dickson, Chief Executive of the European Wind Energy
Association (EWEA) had said then that “Europe’s leadership in wind
combined with the major new commitments on renewables from emerging
economies gives us a golden opportunity to further expand our
flourishing export industry. The European wind industry has a 40% share
of wind markets outside Europe today. So the INDC commitments on wind
could create major new jobs and growth in Europe. But to exploit these
opportunities the European wind industry will need to keep its
competitive edge – and that will require a vibrant home market for wind.
As of now only 6 out of 28 Member States have clear commitments and
policies in pace for renewables post 2020. That’s not enough to deliver
the EU’s collective renewables target “at least 27%” by 2030. And not
enough to deliver the vibrant home market we need to help other
countries deliver on the commitments they’ve now made in Paris.”
http://neurope.eu/article/global-wind-power-surpasses-for-the-first-time-nuclear-energy/