GWEC's analysis follows last month's report by BTM that China became the number one purchaser of turbines in 2009 with 13.75GW in new capacity installed. China's current wind turbine capacity (including projects yet to be connected to the grid) is 25.9GW.
Global capacity is also set to rise substantially with the 2014's figure predicted to reach 409GW up from 158.5GW at the end of 2010 .
Speaking about the report GWEC Secretary General Steve Sawyer said: "Even in the face of a global recession and financial crisis, wind energy continues to be the technology of choice in many countries around the world.
"Wind power is clean, reliable and quick to install, so it is the most attractive solution for improving supply security, reducing CO2 emissions, and creating thousands of jobs in the process. All of these qualities are of key importance, even more so in times of economic uncertainty."
Other findings include:
- China and the US will eventually lead global wind power expansion.
- US development will initially be hampered by the downturn, despite the stimulus made available through the government's Recovery Act. Likewise ‘legislative uncertainty' in Canada is set to result in the North American sector remaining flat until 2012 when it is likely to rise again. 63GW is expected to be added in the next five years.
- Europe will hold it position as the region with the largest wind energy capacity until 2013 when it will be overtaken by Asia. In 2014, Europe's installed capacity will be 136.5GW compared to Asia's 148.8GW.
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