Wind industry sets global installation record in 2014

China is world’s largest market; global offshore installations fell last year

A total of 51.5 GW of new wind generating capacity was added to grids worldwide in 2014 – a new record for annual installations. The data, from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), mark a 44% increase on 2013 figures and were welcomed by the industry following a slowing in capacity growth over recent years. Total global wind capacity now stands at 370 GW.

The figures show that China continues to drive global wind growth. In 2014 China installed around 23 GW of wind capacity – 45% of the global market and the bulk of Asia’s total 26 GW of new capacity. India installed around 2 GW.

The US installed 4.8 GW, and Canada set a new record with 1.9 GW. In Latin America, 3,750 MW were installed, of which Brazil made up the bulk with 2,500 MW. The European market grew marginally, with a near 13 GW of new capacity added according to GWEC figures, not far off 2012’s record. Germany led with 5,280 MW and the UK was by a fair distance second at 1,700 MW.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) recorded the total 2014 figure for Europe at slightly lower – around 12 GW of new capacity. This is compared to coal and gas capacity additions of 3,300 MW and 2,300 MW respectively in Europe.

Of this new wind capacity, a total of 1,480 MW of offshore turbines were grid connected in Europe in 2014 – a decline of 84 MW (5%) from 2013’s record-breaking year for new offshore capacity, according to EWEA figures.

In 2014, 408 new offshore turbines were fully grid connected in Europe. The total installed capacity of offshore wind in Europe’s waters now stands at around 8 GW – made up of 74 offshore wind farms in 11 European countries. The UK accounted for 55% of 2014 installations. Germany accounted for 36%.

• GE has announced that it is to supply China’s Huaneng Corporation with 55 GE 2.75 MW turbines, to be installed at the Huaneng Dali Longquan wind project in the Yunnan province of China. The 150 MW project is GE’s largest wind order in China.