Wind Energy


Denmark


  • About 21.3% of Denmark's electricity is generated from wind turbines.

  • After the energy crisis of the 1970s, the Danish government began a program of subsidies and loans to encourage the growth of its wind industry.

  • The Government covered 30% of investment costs, guaranteed loans for large turbine exporters, forced utility companies to purchase wind energy at a preferential price, offered tax exemptions to families that generated their own electricity, and encouraged families to purchase shares in a wind turbine.

  • Denmark controls about one-third of the global wind market.

  • It is a world leader in energy efficiency.



Germany


  • Wind power comprises about 7.5% of Germany's electricity.

  • Germany has Europe’s largest wind energy market for both installed capacity and new installations.

  • Renewable Energy Resources Act-encourages the growth of Germany's wind market

  • Germany hopes that wind energy combined with other renewable energy sources will provide 25% of the country’s electricity by the year 2020.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            


Spain


  • Spain generates about 11% of its electricity from wind turbines.

  • Has a feed-in tariff system which guarantees grid access, provides long-term contracts for wind energy, and bases purchase prices on the cost of renewable energy generation.

  • The Spanish government is hoping to generate about 29% of its electricity from wind and other renewable resources by 2010.



United States and China


  • The United States and China generate the most amount of electricity through wind power, but this makes up a small percentage of the total amount of energy that both countries use.

  • Wind power in the US continues to grow, and the US Department of Energy believes that wind power has the potential to generate 20% of US electricity by 2030.

  • Wind power is also increasing steadily in China, and it should continue to grow because of the 10 GW Size Wind Base Program.

  • The creators of this program chose six locations from the provinces with the best wind resources, and the government plans to install 10 GW capacity in each location by 2020.

                                   

   A Wind Farm