| Republic of Korea: 25% Wind Energy Growth in 2009
24
June
2009
Bonn/Jeju– At the occasion of the 8th World Wind Energy Conference 2009 (WWEC2009) on Jeju island/South Korea the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) publishes an updated forecast for worldwide wind installations in the year 2009. Based on a survey amongst the WWEA member assocations, a double digit growth for the wind energy market is expected despite the general economic crisis. Based on available figures from 11 of the top 15 countries representing over 80% of the world market, WWEA recorded 5374 MW new installed capacity in the first quarter of 2009, equalling an increase of 23% compared with last year in the same countries. WWEA keeps its previous prevision of a total installed capacity of 152’000 MW worldwide by the end of 2009, which will mean a new record of over 30’000 MW newly installed capacity within one year. This represents a market growth of 25% compared with last year.
This figures confirm the status of wind energy as a stable, profitable and low-risk investment. Although some wind energy projects are postponed due to financing challenges, the overall market development can still compensate such delays showing great signs of vitality. A substantial share of the slow down in some regions are a consequence of new regulations and bureaucratic delays that undermine the development of new wind parks rather than of financing difficulties.
The WWEC2009 was opened today by WWEA President Dr Anil Kane. Mr Kim Hyoung Oh, Chairman of the Korean National Assembly underlined in his welcome address that the Korean Parliament will make every effort to support the development of renewable energy in Korea. In total, more than 500 participants from 40 countries are discussing during the WWEC2009 all aspects of wind energy utilisation worldwide, with a special focus on the conference theme "Wind power for islands – offshore and onshore".
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