Wind power capacity growth strong in 2006

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Wind power grew by leaps and bounds last year, according to the Worldwatch Institute:

The 15,200 megawatts of new wind turbines installed worldwide last year will generate enough clean electricity annually to offset the carbon dioxide emissions of 23 average-sized U.S. coal-fired power plants, according to a new Vital Signs Update from the Worldwatch Institute. The 43 million tons of carbon dioxide displaced in 2006 is equivalent to the emissions of 7,200 megawatts of coal-fired power plants, or nearly 8 million passenger cars.

Global wind power capacity increased almost 26 percent in 2006, exceeding 74,200 megawatts by year’s end. Global investment in wind power was roughly $22 billion in 2006, and in Europe and North America, the power industry added more capacity in wind than it did in coal and nuclear combined. The global market for wind equipment has risen 74 percent in the past two years, leading to long backorders for wind turbine equipment in much of the world.

[via the CNET Tech news blog]

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Comments

[Brian]

This is a good indication of where things are heading. There's a long way to go regarding wind farms because many people see them as an eyesore rather than something cool to look at and energy producing. I think it's going to take some time before we have huge wind farms out off our shores, but it will eventually happen. As the article mentioned, there's going to be shortages, but with shortages comes extra capacity through new companies jumping on board. The more companies that get involved, the better and more efficient the designs get. Competition is always a good thing because it inspires creativity. Let's hope things continue to progress as they have.

[Luis]

Great post!

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[Antonio Pietrangeli]

In europe wind power is popular in the northern countries ( Germany, Holland, etc. ) whereas in Italy is growing very slowly because of the bureaucracy and of the "visual" negative impact.

I hope things will change soon in Italy too.
We badly need the most of the renewable energy since we have no gas, petroleum nor nuclear. Basically we produce hydropower only.
Antonio Pietrangeli
http://www.pietrangeli.it/impianti%20idroelettrici.htm

[PM]

Everybody should learn about electric cars as a solution. It’s amazing how far the technology has come. One of the main electric car companies, Zap, has delivered over 100,000 EV’s. (source: zapworld.com). EV’s cost 1 to 3 cents per mile to run, compare that to regular cars!

[PM]

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[Simonm]

Wind power is really growing, both existing wind power schemes and those that are planned! Have a look at http://www.renewables-map.co.uk which shows all the active and planned schemes in the UK. There is about 2.5GW of wind generating capacity in the UK Now! And another 13GW on its way!

[Wind Turbine]

Wind Turbines are a great way to reduce your energy bill. They are pretty affordable, something you can do on your own, and it's eco-friendly : )

[Rick L.]

One of my colleagues has a wind turbine in the north and I have to say it kicks rear. It generates so much energy at a cheap cost. They are worth it. Thanks a bunch, Rick Lanese

[run your car on water]

i hope it will get bigger in the future.

[paul horak]

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