Global map of wind speed at 100 m above surface level
The worldwide total cumulative installed electricity generation capacity from wind power has increased rapidly since the start of the third millennium, and as of the end of 2023, it amounts to over 1000 GW.[2] Since 2010, more than half of all new wind power was added outside the traditional markets of Europe and North America, mainly driven by the continuing boom in China and India. China alone had over 40% of the world's capacity in 2023.[2]
Wind power is used on a commercial basis in more than half of all the countries of the world.[3] Denmark produced 58% of its electricity from wind in 2023, a larger share than any other country. Latvia's wind capacity grew by 75%, the largest percent increase in 2022.[2]
In November 2018, wind power generation in Scotland was higher than the country's electricity consumption during the month.[4] Wind power's share of worldwide electricity usage in 2023 was 7.8%, up from 7.3% from the prior year.[a][2] In Europe, wind was 12.3% of generation in 2023.[2] In 2018, upcoming wind power markets rose from 8% to 10% across the Middle East, Latin America, South East Asia, and Africa.[5]
Generation by country
Yearly wind generation by continent Wind generation by country, 2021
Number of countries with wind capacities in the gigawatt-scale
Data are sourced from Ember and refer to the year 2024 unless otherwise specified.[2] The table only includes countries with more than 0.1TWh of generation.
Wind power in Asia is an important component in the Asian energy industry and one of the key sources of renewable energy in the region. As of April 2016, the installed capacity of wind power in Asia (excluding the Middle East) totalled 175,831 MW.[6] Asia is the fastest growing region in terms of wind energy, having increased its installed capacity by 33,858 MW in 2005 (a 24% increase over 2014). China, with 145,362 MW of installed capacity, is the world's largest generator of electricity from wind energy. India is the second largest in Asia with an installed capacity of 25,088 MW.[6] Other key countries include Japan (1,394 MW), Taiwan (188 MW), South Korea (173 MW) and the Philippines (33 MW).[7]
The Koudia Al Baida Farm in Morocco, is the largest wind farm in the continent. Two other large wind farms are under construction in Tangier and Tarfaya.
Kenya is building a wind farm, the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP), in Marsabit County. As Africa's largest wind farm, the project will increase the national electricity supply while creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. LTWP is planned to produce 310 MW of wind power at full capacity.[10][11]
In January 2009, the first wind turbine in West Africa was erected in Batokunku, a village in The Gambia. The 150 kilowatt turbine provides electrical power for the 2,000-person village.[12]
The South African REIPPP has resulted in several wind farms already in commercial operation in the country. These wind farms are currently in operation in the provinces of the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape. It is estimated that 10 farms are already under construction or in operation, with 12 more being approved with the 4th Round of the REIPPP.
As of 2023, Europe had a total installed wind capacity of 255 gigawatts (GW).[13] In 2017, a total of 15,680MW of wind power was installed, representing 55% of all new power capacity, and the wind power generated 336TWh of electricity, enough to supply 11.6% of the EU's electricity consumption.[14]
In Q4 2023, wind power exceeded coal in European electricity generation for the first time, generating 193 TWh compared to coal's 184 TWh. Despite wind installation challenges, wind generation rose by 20% from 2022. New policies aim to further boost wind power in 2024.[15]
As of 2024, the EU's wind capacity and generation remain on an upwards trend.
WindEurope (formerly known as The European Wind Energy Association) has estimated that 230 gigawatts of wind capacity will be installed in Europe by 2020, consisting of 190GW onshore and 40GW offshore. This would produce 14-17% of the EU's electricity, avoiding 333million tonnes of CO2 per year and saving Europe €28billion a year in fuel costs.[16][17]
Research from a wide variety of sources in various European countries shows that support for wind power is consistently about 80 per cent among the general public.[18]
By 2020, 56% wind power penetration was achieved in Denmark, 36% in Lithuania, 35% in Ireland, 23% in Portugal, 23% in Germany, 20% in Spain, 18% in Greece, 16% in Sweden, 15% (avg) in the EU.[19]
Notes
↑ Wind was 2307 TWh out of 29,562 TWh total in 2023, compared to 2101 TWh out of 28,850 TWh total in 2022.
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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