On the occasion of the 5th World Summit for Small Wind during the New Energy fair in Husum (Germany), WWEA released today the 2014 Small Wind World Report Update. The world market for small wind has continued to grow: As of the end of 2012, a cumulative total of at least 806’000 small wind turbines were installed all over the world. This is an increase of 10 % compared with the previous year, when 730’000 units were registered.
Most of the growth happens in only three countries: China, USA and UK. This situation is a clear indication that the world market for small wind turbines is still in its infancy stage. In most countries you can at least find a handful of small wind turbines, but the vast majority of these countries is far from market size which would enable companies to reach mass production. More and better policies are imperative for making small wind a success all over the world.
The recorded small wind capacity installed worldwide has reached more than 687 MW as of the end of 2012. This is a growth of 19 % compared with 2011, when 576 MW were registered. In 2011, the growth rate was still at 21 %. China accounts for 39 % of the global capacity, the USA for 31 % and UK for 9,4 %. These three leading markets, China, USA and UK installed together around 89 MW of new capacity in the year 2012 (80 % of the world market), a capacity increase of 16 %, slightly below the global growth rate.