How many countries use wind energy?

Wind energy is being harnessed by an increasing number of countries worldwide. As of 2021, over 90 countries have embraced wind power as a significant part of their energy mix. Leading the way in wind energy adoption are countries like China, the United States, Germany, India, and Spain. These nations have made substantial investments in wind farms and infrastructure, capitalizing on the abundant wind resources available to them. The global shift towards wind energy is driven by its numerous benefits, including its renewable nature, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and job creation potential. As more countries recognize these advantages, the number of wind energy users continues to grow.

How many countries use wind energy?

Wind power has been recognized as a valuable energy source for centuries, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it gained widespread use due to the oil crisis and rising fossil fuel prices. Technological advancements have since made wind turbines more efficient and economically attractive.

Currently, wind energy is commercially used in at least 83 countries, with over 300,000 generators providing about 4 percent of the world’s electricity needs. Europe alone produces 160 gigawatts of energy each year through wind farms, accounting for 10 percent of the European Union’s electricity consumption. This growth in wind energy has also created over 330,000 jobs in the EU.

Wind farms can be built either at sea, taking advantage of strong sea winds, or on land. While land-based wind farms may face resistance due to visual and noise concerns, they only occupy a small percentage of the land, leaving the rest available for other purposes like agriculture or conservation.

The environmental benefits of wind power are clear, as it produces clean electricity without emitting polluting gases. However, wind power’s reliance on meteorological conditions necessitates a diverse energy mix to provide backup during wind shortages or high demand. Clear rules and policies are crucial to ensure efficient use of clean energy and minimize reliance on fossil fuels.

Political will and stability are essential for developing wind power capacity. Countries like Portugal have successfully established wind parks by setting clear targets for renewable energy production and implementing straightforward licensing processes. This has attracted investors and companies, boosting the economy and leading to the exportation of wind turbine equipment.

The cost of financing wind turbine construction is influenced by political and economic stability. Constant changes in subsidy policies make markets appear risky for investments, resulting in higher costs. Therefore, building a wind farm in a country like Germany is cheaper than in a country like Romania.

The growth of wind energy in Europe has been driven by the EU’s commitment to have 20 percent of its energy come from renewable sources by 2020. Currently, renewable sources satisfy about 15 percent of the continent’s energy needs, with wind energy playing a significant role. By 2030, the EU aims to use renewables for 27 percent of its energy, accounting for half of its electricity consumption.

Wind power is not only attractive for its environmental benefits but also for its market potential. Some companies purchase wind energy directly from wind farms to be considered environmentally friendly. This creates a constant demand for producers and encourages the construction of new wind farms.

In conclusion, wind power has become a vital component of the global energy mix, providing clean and sustainable electricity. Its growth requires political stability, clear policies, and a diverse energy mix. With continued advancements and investments, wind power has the potential to play an even larger role in addressing climate change and meeting energy demands.

What countries don’t use renewable energy?

According to the Data World Bank, several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Benin, Bahrain, Botswana, Kuwait, Libya, Mongolia, Oman, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore, rely almost entirely on traditional energy sources and have negligible contributions from alternative and nuclear sources.

Is wind energy free?

The wind, a pure and abundant renewable energy source, is harnessed by wind turbines worldwide to generate electricity in a sustainable manner. But how does wind energy come into existence? As the wind blows, the blades of the turbines rotate in a clockwise direction, capturing the energy. This motion sets the main shaft of the turbine, connected to a gearbox within the nacelle, in motion. The gearbox then transfers the wind energy to the generator, where it is converted into electricity. Subsequently, the electricity is directed to a transformer, where voltage levels are adjusted to align with the grid. Explore the inner workings of a wind turbine and witness the marvel it holds.

What are the statistics of wind energy?

Over 60,000 utility-scale wind turbines have been installed in the United States, with a cumulative capacity of 1,342 GW. The US wind capacity has grown significantly from 40 GW in 2010 to 134 GW in 2021, experiencing an average annual increase of 12%. Globally, wind capacity has also seen growth, with an average annual increase of 13% from 2011 to 2021, reaching 837 GW in 2021.

The average size of wind turbines in the US was 28 MW in 2020, a 10% increase from 25.5 MW in 2019. Additionally, the average capacity factor has improved from 25% for projects installed between 1998 and 2001 to 41% for projects built between 2014 and 2019.

The cost of wind projects has significantly declined over the years. On a capacity-weighted average basis, costs have decreased by approximately $3,147 per kW between the early 1980s and 2020, with costs reaching $1,462 per kW in 2020. The average installed cost of a small 100 kW turbine was around $9,500 per kW in 2020.

In terms of energy purchase contracts, new wind contracts in 2019 and 2020 averaged $25 per kWh, while the average residential electricity price was $1.37 per kWh in 2021.

Leading states in total installed wind capacity include Texas with 35,049 MW, Iowa with 12,006 MW, and Oklahoma with 10,716 MW. Iowa stands out as it generated over 67% of its electricity from wind and had the second-highest annual electricity generation from wind among all US states in 2021.

The US wind industry also plays a significant role in job creation, employing nearly 117,000 full-time workers in 2020. Turbines and components are manufactured at over 500 facilities across the country.

Large wind projects with a capacity of 20 MW require approximately 85 acres of land area per MW, but only a small portion of this area is occupied by infrastructure such as roads and turbine foundations. The remaining land can be utilized for other purposes.

For farmers, wind turbine lease payments provide a stable income, with an average of around $3,000 per MW of turbine capacity, depending on factors such as the number of turbines and lease terms.

What is the biggest wind farm in the world?

The Jiuquan Wind Power Base, also known as Gansu Wind Farm, has held the title of the world’s largest wind farm since its completion in November 2010. Located in Gansu, China, the farm consists of 7,000 wind turbines spread across Inner Mongolia, Jiuquan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, and Xinjiang Provinces. As of 2021, the farm has a capacity of 10GW, which is expected to reach 20GW upon completion.

In the UK, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm is currently under construction and is set to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm by 2026. It will consist of three phases, each with a capacity of 12GW. The wind farm will feature 277 of GE’s Haliade-X turbines, making it one of the most powerful offshore wind farms in the world. Equinor and SSE Renewables are also exploring the possibility of adding a fourth phase to the project.

India is home to the Jaisalmer Wind Park, the largest wind farm in the country and one of the largest globally. Developed by Suzlon Energy, the park has a capacity of 1600MW and is located in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. It encompasses a range of turbines, from older 350 kW models to the latest S9X 21 MW series.

In the US, MidAmerican Energy has proposed the Wind Prime project to the Iowa Utilities Board. If approved, it will be a $3.9 billion project consisting of wind and solar farms, generating 2042 MW of energy from wind and an additional 50 MW from solar. This would make it the largest wind farm in the US upon completion.

The Alta Wind Energy Center in California is the third-largest onshore wind energy project globally and the largest in the US. Owned by TerraGen Power, it has an installed capacity of 1548 MW and comprises 600 GE Renewable Energy turbines. The first phase of the project was completed in April 2011.

Hornsea 2, an offshore wind farm located off the Yorkshire Coast in the UK, is set to be fully operational in the summer of 2022. With a capacity of 1.3GW, it consists of 165 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines. Together with its sibling, Hornsea 1, the two wind farms can power 25 million homes. The blades of the turbines measure 81 meters, and one revolution can power an average UK home for 24 hours.

The Muppandal Wind Farm in India is the largest offshore wind farm in the country, with a capacity of 1500MW. It is located in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu and features turbines from various private players. Many of the turbines are running past their expected lifecycle, and discussions are underway regarding decommissioning or replacement.

The MacIntyre complex in Australia, operated by ACCIONA Energía, will become the largest wind farm in the country upon completion in 2024. It will have a total capacity of 1026MW and consist of two wind farms, MacIntyre and Karara. The wind farms will utilize 180 Nordex Delta 4000 turbines, generating clean electricity for nearly 700,000 homes and reducing CO2 emissions by three million tonnes annually.

Greater Changhua 1 & 2a, located off the coast of Taiwan, is the largest farshore wind farm in the country, with a capacity of 900MW. It became operational in August 2022 and can provide clean energy to one million households.

China is planning to build the world’s largest wind farm in the Taiwan Strait, off the coast of Chaozhou in Guangdong province. Spanning ten kilometers, the farm will feature thousands of powerful turbines with a total capacity of 433 gigawatts, enough to power a small European country. Due to its windy location, the turbines are expected to operate between 43% and 49% of the time. Construction is set to begin before 2025, surpassing the current largest wind farm, the Jiuquan Wind Power Base in China.<

What countries use wind energy the most 2023?

#	Country	Wind Power Generation	Solar Power Generation	Hydropower Generation	Biofuel Energy Generation
1	People’s Republic of China	650.56 TWh	329.77	1,301.1	39.65
2	United States of America	379.77 TWh	163.7	255.11	398.85
3	Germany	115.79 TWh	51.09	18.37	33.66
4	Brazil	72.24 TWh	12.48	371.81	233.19
5	India	68.08 TWh	68.34	171.27	23.03
6	United Kingdom	64.37 TWh	12.47	5.59	6.31
7	Spain	62.27 TWh	26.02	30.64	19.98
8	France	36.66 TWh	14.52	59.12	29.72
9	Canada	36.01 TWh	4.46	377.39	13.44
10	Turkey	31.21 TWh	12.91	55.71
11	Sweden	27.32 TWh	0.68	75.66	7.13
12	Australia	24.56 TWh	26.71	16.63	1.34
13	Mexico	21.06 TWh	17.07	31.01	0
14	Italy	20.91 TWh	25.41	44.62	12.72
15	Netherlands	18.01 TWh	11.5	0.1	23.51
16	Denmark	16 TWh	1.4	0.02
17	Poland	15.84 TWh	3.91	2.26	12.02
18	Portugal	13.16 TWh	2.04	11.48	3.38
19	Argentina	12.96 TWh	2.2	19.19	23.78
20	Belgium	12.57 TWh	5.41	0.37	5.4
21	Norway	11.32 TWh	0.01	136.4
22	Greece	10.87 TWh	5.22	5.6
23	Ireland	10.05 TWh	0.02	0.7
24	Japan	9.9 TWh	89.54	89.39
25	Finland	8.19 TWh	0.35	15.54	3.36
26	South Africa	7.69 TWh	4.55	6.5
27	Chile	7.21 TWh	10.77	16.65
28	Austria	6.51 TWh	1.25	39.69	4.82
29	Romania	6.48 TWh	1.7	17.04
30	Uruguay	4.94 TWh	0.48	5.16
31	Ukraine	4.46 TWh	5.97	10.54
32	Egypt	4.35 TWh	1.65	13.25
33	Thailand	4.03 TWh	4.1	4.53	24.96
34	Pakistan	4 TWh	1.23	35.08
35	South Korea	3.17 TWh	23.71	6.16	9.01
36	Russia	2.59 TWh	2.14	198.09
37	Taiwan	2.16 TWh	9.7	6.87
38	New Zealand	2.14 TWh	0.16	23.85
39	Croatia	2.1 TWh	0.08	6.81
40	Peru	1.81 TWh	0.82	30.42
41	Kazakhstan	1.8 TWh	2.96	9.44
42	Kenya	1.8 TWh	0.17	2.95
43	Vietnam	1.78 TWh	22.65	54.62
44	Costa Rica	1.57 TWh	0.06	9.17
45	Bulgaria	1.44 TWh	1.55	4.92
46	Lithuania	1.29 TWh	0.13	0.32
47	Philippines	1.27 TWh	1.35	9.93
48	Serbia	0.98 TWh	0.01	11.08
49	Estonia	0.73 TWh	0.38	0.02
50	Mongolia	0.72 TWh	0.09	0.09
51	Hungary	0.67 TWh	2.51	0.2
52	Czech Republic	0.6 TWh	2.24	2.55
53	Tunisia	0.52 TWh	0.26	0.06
54	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.39 TWh	0.03	6.18
55	Luxembourg	0.34 TWh	0.25	0.15
56	Montenegro	0.33 TWh	0	1.87
57	Cyprus	0.25 TWh	0.5	0
58	Belarus	0.2 TWh	0.19	0.4
59	Latvia	0.17 TWh	0	2.69
60	El Salvador	0.12 TWh	0.57	1.72
61	Bolivia	0.11 TWh	0.35	3.22
62	Azerbaijan	0.1 TWh	0.05	1.12
63	Switzerland	0.1 TWh	2.67	36.73
64	Georgia	0.09 TWh	0	10.19
65	Republic of Macedonia	0.06 TWh	0.02	2.21
66	Ecuador	0.05 TWh	0.04	23.67
67	Moldova	0.05 TWh	0	0.23
68	Senegal	0.02 TWh	0.36	0.36
69	Bangladesh	0.01 TWh	0.58	0.48
70	Slovenia	0.01 TWh	0.34	4.69
71	Armenia	0 TWh	0.02	1.84
72	Burundi	0 TWh	0.01	0.16
73	Malaysia	0 TWh	1.47	28.79
74	Malta	0 TWh	0.21	0
75	Saudi Arabia	0 TWh	1.65	0
76	Singapore	0 TWh	0.72	0
77	Slovakia	0 TWh	0.57	4.25
78	Tajikistan	0 TWh	0	17.43

Conclusion

The Global Wind Power Industry: A Promising Future

Welcome to winddata-inc.com, your go-to source for all things related to the wind power industry. In this article, we will explore some key statistics and trends in wind energy, highlighting the biggest wind farm in the world. Additionally, we will address the question of whether wind energy is truly free. Lastly, we will shed light on the countries that have yet to fully embrace renewable energy sources.

What is the biggest wind farm in the world?
When it comes to wind farms, size matters. Currently, the title for the largest wind farm in the world goes to the Gansu Wind Farm in China. Spanning an impressive 20,000 square kilometers, this wind farm has a total installed capacity of over 6,000 megawatts (MW). With thousands of wind turbines dotting the landscape, the Gansu Wind Farm is a testament to China’s commitment to renewable energy.

Is wind energy free?
While wind itself is free, harnessing its power and converting it into usable electricity requires significant investment. Wind turbines, transmission infrastructure, and maintenance all come at a cost. However, once the initial investment is made, wind energy becomes a relatively low-cost source of electricity. The operational costs of wind farms are significantly lower compared to fossil fuel-based power plants, making wind energy an economically viable and sustainable option in the long run.

Conclusion:
As the global demand for clean and sustainable energy continues to rise, wind power has emerged as a frontrunner in the renewable energy sector. The Gansu Wind Farm in China stands as a testament to the immense potential of wind energy, showcasing the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards a greener future.

At winddata-inc.com, we believe that wind energy is a crucial component of the global energy mix. While wind energy is not entirely free, its long-term benefits far outweigh the initial costs. The continuous advancements in wind turbine technology, coupled with favorable government policies and incentives, have contributed to the rapid growth of the wind power industry.

However, it is important to acknowledge that not all countries have fully embraced renewable energy sources. Some nations still heavily rely on non-renewable energy sources such as coal and oil. These countries often face challenges in transitioning to renewable energy due to various factors, including infrastructure limitations, political barriers, and economic considerations.

At winddata-inc.com, we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the wind power industry, promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources worldwide. Together, we can work towards a sustainable future powered by clean and abundant wind energy.

Sources Link

https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/wind-power-by-country/

https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/energy/wind-energy-factsheet

https://discovercleantech.com/ten-gigantic-wind-farms/

https://www.ge.com/renewableenergy/wind-energy/what-is-wind-energy

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-lowest-levels-of-alternative-energy.html

You are watching: How many countries use wind energy?