Europe & International - Wind consulting partners provide insight into the global wind energy sector

Wind energy is a proven technology developed and optimized over three decades. Compared with other energy investments, wind power creates more certainty. Wind farm plants create jobs and secure energy security.

MAKE Consulting and BTM Consult ApS provide the following ranking of wind turbine manufactures, and their shares of the total 2010 market:

Company Country Market share (pct)

1) Vestas Denmark 12%

2) Sinovel China 11%

3) GE United States 10%

4) Goldwind China 10%

5) Enercon Germany 7%

6) Gamesa Spain 7%

7) Dongfang (DEC) China 7%

8) Suzlon India 6%

9) Siemens Germany 5%

10) United Power China 4%

11) Mingyang China 3%

12) REpower Germany 2%

13) Sewind China 2%

14) Nordex Germany 2%

15) XEMC China 1%

Others 12%

NOTE: German manufactuer REpower is owned by India's Suzlon.

The remarkable growth in China had a significant impact on global wind power market share positioning as most non-Chinese wind turbines OEMs were unable to capitalize on growth in this wind farm market. This created considerable competition particularly at the top of the rankings where only two percentage points separate the top four wind turbine OEMs. Despite this challenge, Vestas maintained its leading wind turbine market position in 2010 based on the strength of its global installation activities.

Wind's contribution in the fight against global warming is impressive. The total carbon dioxide emissions avoided by wind power in 2009 is about 228.7 Mt - equal to 1.93% of the world's total power generation emissions.

Wind's growth is also no longer so depend on local political situation as its main driver. More tradional market drivers are influencing competition.

Wind power is already cost competitive with gas and “new coal-fired” electricity on a normal good windy site.

The report delivers several views on the fast-growing wind energy market, including:

* Record installation of 39.4 GW
* Strong presence of four Chinese wind turbine suppliers in the “Top 10” list
* China is now the leading wind turbine market globally, with 18.9 GW of new capacity
* Offshore wind power is on track for increased contribution to Europe
* Market value is expected to grow from €66.8 billion in 2011 to €111.7 billion in 2015
* Direct-drive wind turbines now account for 17.6% of the world's supply of wind power capacity
* Wind power is expected to deliver 1.92% of the world's electricity in 2011
* Current indications are that wind power is expected to be able to meet 9.1% of the world’s electricity demands by 2020.

With 39,404 MW added in 2010, total global installed wind generation capacity grew to approximately 200,000 MW. This represents a cumulative market increase of 25% from 2009. The most significant trend in international wind development in 2010 was China’s booming wind industry with 18,928 MW of new capacity—the highest volume ever by one country in a single year. A recent decline in the U.S. market provided only 5,115 MW of new capacity in 2010 – about half of its 2009 installed capacity – while Europe lost its previous position as the largest wind power continent, providing only 27.9% of all new installations in 2010 – down from 51% four years ago.

The 2010 offshore wind market saw nine new projects with 1,444MW of wind capacity installed. The majority of the new offshore wind farm capacity was installed in the UK, with Denmark and Belgium also contributing with large scale projects.

Among suppliers of wind turbines, China once again dominated the market, with four Chinese manufacturers – Sinovel, Goldwind, Dongfang and United Power – included in the top 10, while Danish manufacturer Vestas held on to the top-supplier spot in 2010.

Looking forward, the report projects an average global growth rate of 15.5% per year for new annual installations through 2015, resulting in expected total global capacity of 513.6 GW by 2015. In the following less predictable five-year period 2016 – 2020, the expectation is for an average annual growth rate of approximately 11.5%, closing in on the 1,000 GW milestone by the end of 2020.

By then, based on the International Energy Agency’s prediction of overall demand, wind power is expected to supply 9.1% of the world’s electricity. A major driving force for the wind power market throughout this period is expected to be continued strong growth across Asia, especially in China.

About BTM Consult ApS:
BTM is an independent consultancy company specialized in services regarding renewable energy

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