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Sales of Danish wind turbines in the first quarter of the year were the second best ever over a three month period. Just over 216 MW of capacity, made up of 375 turbines, were supplied by the country's wind turbine manufacturers, reports the industry's association. Only at the end of 1996 -- when sales reached 335 MW (601 turbines) -- has the industry had a better quarter. "The quarterly sales are now roughly equivalent to annual sales during the 1985-1986 California wind rush," states the association. It points out that the early part of a year is normally the low season for wind turbine sales. Private sector customers continue to dominate the home market, with 95% of all sales in Denmark going mainly to individual investors, predominantly farmers. Some 7% of these sales are to wind plant co-operatives, formed by groups of individuals. Utilities bought just 5% of all turbines sold in Denmark between January and March, but the industry association expects this share to increase significantly. The utilities are obliged to install 200 MW of wind plant by the close of 1999. Two-thirds of Danish exports continue to go to markets in Germany, the UK and Spain. Over the past four years market trends have seen the total collapse of the Indian market and the steady emergence of Spain as a major customer for Danish turbines, with the Netherlands also picking up in recent times. Over the four year period from 1993 to 1996, the Danish industry's top five markets were Germany (595 MW), Denmark (400 MW), India (256 MW), Britain (160 MW) and Spain (105 MW). In 1996 the top five markets for Danish sales were Denmark (221 MW), Germany (186 MW), Spain (84.9 MW), Britain (73.8 MW) and the Netherlands (43 MW).