Honorary Award for Governor of Jeju Province, Mr Kim Tae Hwan

Jeju/Bonn (WWEA) – On the occasion of the 8th World Wind Energy Conference 2009 on Jeju island, Korea, the Board of the World Wind Energy Association has decided to give the World Wind Energy Award 2009 to the Hon. George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of Ontario, largest Province of Canada.

 WWEA retains its previous prognosis unchanged – a total of 152'000 MW installed capacity worldwide is expected by the end of 2009, equalling a growth rate of 25 %

Bonn/Jeju, 23 June 2009 – 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.

The International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN Alliance) has sent an open letter to the Founding Members of the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA.

The REN Alliance comprises the leading international renewable energy associations of all renewable energy technologies: International Geothermal Association, International Hydropower Association, International Solar Energy Society, World Bioenergy Association and World Wind Energy Association.

REN Alliance open letter for download 139.76 Kb

A first for North America - Ontario's Green Energy and Economy Act becomes law

Toronto - Members of the Green Energy Act Alliance, a coalition of leading environmental groups, industry associations, farmers and labour groups, were at Queen's Park today to congratulate the Liberals and NDP on the adoption of the Green Energy and Economy Act. The Act outlines an ambitious and globally significant strategy to improve conservation, increase renewable energy generation and create green jobs.

WWEA welcomes first feed-in tariff in Africa as major breakthrough

Bonn (WWEA) – The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) announced today that the Energy Regulator approved the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff guidelines for the country. The feed-in tariff for electricity from wind energy will be 1,25 South African Rand (0,098 Euro; 0,131 USD) per Kilowatthour over a period of 20 years.

Highlights of the World Wind Energy Report 2008: 

· Worldwide capacity reaches 121’188 MW, out of which 27’261 MW were added in 2008. 
· Wind energy continued its growth in 2008 at an increased rate of 29 %.
· All wind turbines installed by the end of 2008 worldwide are generating 260 TWh per annum, equalling more than 1,5 % of the global electricity consumption.
· The wind sector became a global job generator and has created 440’000 jobs worldwide.
· The wind sector represented in 2008 a turnover of 40 billion €.
· For the first time in more than a decade, the USA took over the number one position from Germany in terms of total installations.
· China continues its role as the most dynamic wind market in the year 2008, more than doubling the installations for the third time in a row, with today more than 12 GW of wind turbines installed.
· North America and Asia catch up in terms of new installations with Europe which shows stagnation.
· Based on accelerated development and further improved policies, a global capacity of more than 1’500’000 MW is possible by the year 2020. 

Downdload pdf version of World Wind Energy Report 2008: 

English 1.15 Mb, Chinese 904.29 Kb, French 1.11 Mb, (more in French: www.thewindpower.net), German 1.10 Mb, Russian 883.34 Kb, Spanish 1.07 Mb