EcoSeed top 5 wind stories for 2012

2012 has been an exciting year for the low-carbon economy where several turning points that both advanced and slowed down the sector happened, shaping the future of renewable energy. Particularly, wind power, which is one of the most well-developed and dominant renewable sources across the world, has gone through a lot last year. Looking back, here are the top five wind power stories for 2012:...

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G.E. installs newest prototype wind turbine in Netherlands

A prototype of G.E.’s next-generation high-output wind turbine is now operational at a test site in Wieringermeer, Netherlands. The 2.5-120, announced in January, is designed to unlock higher returns for wind farm operators at low-wind speed areas. The model represents a 25 percent increase in efficiency and a 15 percent increase in power output compared to G.E.’s current models. The new prototype uses Industrial Internet...

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Governments hinder wind energy growth – E.W.E.A.

The European Wind Energy Association has issued a statement warning the governments in the region of the “uncertainty crisis” that is hindering the development of wind energy across Europe. According to the E.W.E.A., investing in wind energy makes “absolute” economic sense for the European Union as it significantly helps in achieving the 20 percent renewable energy target of the region by 2020. However, governments themselves are...

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Vestas announces layoffs in Colorado blade manufacturing facilities

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas will be laying off almost 10 percent of its employees in its blade factories in Colorado. In a statement, the company expressed regrets at having to lay off highly skilled employees but the move was necessary “in order to adjust manufacturing capacity to the expected market demand for wind turbines in 2013.” Vestas has two blade factories in Colorado located in Windsor and Brighton...

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Mytrah Energy looking towards 1,000 MW of wind for Andhra Pradesh by 2017

Mytrah Energy (India) Ltd. intends to install 1,000 megawatts worth of wind farms in the state of Andhra Pradesh by 2017. According to The Hindu Business Line, the Indian wind company has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the government for more projects in the state. Currently, Mytrah Energy’s has two wind power projects in Andhra Pradesh. The 63 MW Vajrakarur project is already operational while the 37.4 MW...

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G.E. overtakes Vestas as the global wind turbine market leader in 2012

Vestas has lost its title as the global leader in wind turbine market to General Electric. According to preliminary reports from Navigant Consulting Inc.’s BTM Consult unit, the Danish manufacturer dropped from the top spot for the first time since 2000. G.E. accounted for over 15 percent of global market share in 2012 as the U.S. wind industry rushed wind energy projects, anticipating the expiration of the Production Tax Credit...

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Global wind power reaches 282 GW in 2012 – G.W.E.C.

The global wind power sector grew by around 19 percent last year, bringing the world’s cumulative generation capacity to 282 gigawatts, according to the latest report from the Global Wind Energy Council. According to the G.W.E.C., last year saw around 44.7 GW of new capacity installed globally. China and the United States tied as market leaders with about 13 GW of new capacity each. Germany, India and Britain followed...

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New transmission lines to bring wind power to mainland Japan

Japan aims to triple its wind power capacity to 7.5 million kilowatts by developing transmission grids in the Hokkaido and the Tohoku regions. According to the Japan Wind Power Association, Japan could have 50 gigawatts of wind-generated electricity by 2050, accounting for over 10 percent of the country’s demand. Hokkaido and Tohoku are considered the most suitable areas for wind power production. Local utilities...

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China is four-time global wind market leader

China remains the global leader in the wind market, installing over one third of the onshore wind capacity worldwide in 2012. For four straight years in a row, China has led the global wind market. The Asian country has maintained top position since 2009, when it first over took the United States. According to figures from Bloomberg News Energy Finance, the country added 15.9 gigawatts of wind power last year, comprising 35...

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Wind to provide half of E.U.’s energy demand by 2050

Wind could supply half of Europe’s power needs by 2050, according to Robert Clover of MAKE Consulting. “After 2020, wind is the cheapest technology, it is scalable and it has minimal water requirements,” he said during the European Wind Energy Association’s 2013 Annual Event in Vienna. Onshore wind in particular, will reach parity along with other electricity-generating technologies in the European Union by 2015, followed by offshore...

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