The global wind energy market witnessed huge growth from 2010-11 as total wind power capacity grew by 20.6%. The global wind energy installed capacity increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.3% from 74,212MW in 2006 to 238,351MW in 2011, of which 40,714MW went online in 2011. Although the cumulative capacity for wind power grew, there was a 13.8% fall in annual additions in 2010 in comparison to 2009 as major wind markets such as the US, Germany and Spain faced economic problems following the global monetary crisis.
The global wind power markets are expected to recover in 2011-12 due to the huge order intake by major wind manufacturers, the growing Asia-Pacific region, emerging South America and Africa regions, steady European wind markets and recovery in North America.
Global wind repowering potential to reach over 44GW by 2020
According to GlobalData, wind farms installed up until 1996 were considered to be potential wind repowering sites in 2011.
The global wind repowered market has increased significantly during the last five years, and annual installed capacity grew from an estimated 69.9MW in 2006 to an estimated 122.8MW in 2011 with a CAGR of 11.9%.
Global wind repowered capacity in 2011 was 417MW
The global wind repowering market has increased significantly during the past five years. In 2006, an estimated annual wind capacity of 69.9MW underwent repowering, resulting in a repowered capacity of around 201.6MW. The market has since increased further, with an estimated annual wind capacity of 122.8MW undergoing repowering in 2011, which translates to an estimated repowered capacity of 417.4MW. In 2020, around 1,620MW of installed capacity is expected to undergo repowering, resulting in a repowered capacity of 7,012MW.
Denmark and Germany: 2011’s major wind repowering markets
Global wind repowering was dominated by four countries in 2011: Denmark, Germany, the US and India.
Denmark had the highest repowered capacity, with an estimated 213.1MW, contributing 51.1% of total global repowered capacity. Germany, the second largest wind repowered market, made up 40.7% of global repowered capacity.
The US and India followed, with 3.8% and 1.4%, respectively.
Denmark has high repowering potential
The Danish repowering market began in 2001 with its first repowering programme announced by the government. During this initiative, 1,480 old turbines with a total capacity of 122MW were replaced by 272 new turbines with a total capacity of 332MW. The programme was amended in 2004 and was in force until December 2011. According to GlobalData, wind farms installed before 1996 were considered to be potential wind repowering sites until 2011. Until 2011, approximately 38% of the total wind repowering potential had been explored in Denmark.
