Asia 2010 - Overall investment in wind energy highest on an international level

Asia had the highest growth rate of all world regions (50,6%, after 63,3% in 2009) and added 20,6GW of wind energy in 2009.

After four consecutive years during which China doubled its wind turbines installations, the country still showed an impressive growth of 73,3% and became number one in terms of new wind farm installations as well as in terms of total wind power capacity, reaching 44,7GW.

However, China still faces major challenges with grid connection of installed wind turbines. According to the China Electricity Council, only 31,070 MW were actually feeding electricity into the national grid, while a major number of wind farms is still waiting for grid connection.

In parallel with the dominating role of China as the by far largest market for new wind turbines, the Chinese wind power industry is getting more and more competitive and has increased their share in global sales dramatically.

The biggest Chinese manufacturer Sinovel reached a top position with a world market share of almost 12%. Sinovel leapfrogged U.S. giant GE for the No. 2 wind turbine manufacture position globally. Chinese turbine manufacturer Goldwind overtook Germany's Enercon to take fourth place, with 9.5%, compared to 7.2% in 2009.

GE slipped to the No. 3 spot, Goldwind was fourth biggest, and Germany's Enercon rounded out the top five, which were the same five companies that held the five top ranks in 2009. Vestas consolidated its leading position in 2010, increasing its market share to 14.8% from 12.5% in 2009.

Chinese wind turbines manufacturers accounted for four of the top 10 and seven of the top 15 positions in the rankings.

Company Country Market share (pct):
1) Vestas Denmark 12%,
2) Sinovel China 11%,
3) GE United States 10%,
4) Goldwind, China 10%,
5) Enercon, Germany 7%,
6) Gamesa, Spain, 7%;
7) Dongfang (DEC), China 7%,
8) Suzlon, India 6%, 9)
Siemens, Germany 5% 10)
United Power, China 4%,
11) Mingyang, China 3%,
12) REpower, Germany 2 %,
13) Sewind, China 2%,
14) Nordex, Germany, 2%,
15) XEMC, China, 1%,
16Others, 12%.

The second largest Asian wind energy market remained India, with a 10,7% growth rate, reaching a total wind farm capacity of 13 GW. Further modest growth can be expected in the future.

The three medium-size Asian markets showed modest growth rates as well: Japan (total wind farm capacity 2,3 GW, after 2,1 GW in 2009), the island of Taiwan (519 MW, after 436 MW) and South Korea (379 MW, after 364 MW).

It can be expected that especially Japan will focus much more on wind power and other renewable energy sources, after the nuclear incident at Fukushima that hit the country in spring 2011. No wind farm was damaged by the earthquake or the tsunami.

Vietnam installed a major wind farm and tripled its capacity from 9 MW to 31 MW.

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