Renewables

Global Wind Day: Wind power capacity to pass 1 TW milestone by end-2023

global-wind-day-1-tw-milestone-2023

Photo: Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

Published

June 15, 2023

Country

Comments

comments icon

1

Share

Published:

June 15, 2023

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

1

Share

Global Wind Day, marked every year on June 15 since 2007, is dedicated to the research of wind, its power, and its potential to reshape energy systems, decarbonize economies, and boost growth around the world. Global Wind Day 2023 celebrates the 1 TW milestone that the world’s wind power capacity is set to pass by the end of the year.

Global Wind Day was established by WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), who were later joined by national associations and companies in various segments of the wind industry, organizing a series of events around the world.

The horizontal movement of the air, also known as wind, is an important phenomenon that has been used throughout history in many ways. Wind as a source of energy was discovered by ancient Egyptians almost 6,000 years ago.

Wind energy is obtained by harnessing the kinetic energy of air currents with wind turbines, structures oriented in the direction of the wind. They capture the force of wind, convert it into mechanical rotational energy and then, thanks to a generator, into electrical energy. This energy is then fed through cables to a transformer substation, which in turn transfers it to the distribution networks to supply end consumers.

The first wind turbines were 120 meters tall and were installed on land (onshore). Four decades later, wind turbines had reached 220 meters and were fixed to the bottom of the sea (offshore). Innovation has advanced so much that we now have floating wind turbines and can soon expect to see offshore wind catching systems.

wind-turbine-evolution

Photo: Iberdrola

Wind energy covers 5% of the global demand for electricity. In the European Union (EU), that share is 17%, and the European Commission projects it will grow to as much as 50% by 2050.

From propelling ships to 1 terawatt of energy capacity

The use of wind energy has come a long way from propelling ships and power windmills. Today it looks like wind will play a key role and help the world achieve net zero emissions and decarbonize industry.

Last year, a total of 78 GW of wind farms were connected around the world, increasing the total installed capacity to 907 GW. By the end of 2023, according to GWEC, the global wind capacity will exceed 1 TW, an important milestone that will be celebrated in London and around the world. The 2 TW milestone is expected to be passed by the end of this decade, according to GWEC.

wind-capacity-growth

Photo: GWEC

The five biggest markets in terms of new wind capacity installed in 2022 were China, the United States, Brazil, Germany, and Sweden.

Comments (1)
famlin / June 18, 2023

Wind energy capacity has crossed 1 terawatt global installed capacity already.
Thanks to everyone who worked for it.

https://financialtribune.com/articles/energy/118634/global-wind-power-capacity-reaches-1-tw-after-40-years

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Serbia and Hungary continue to strengthen energy cooperation

Serbia, Hungary continue strengthening energy cooperation

14 February 2025 - Minister Đedović Handanović and her Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó discussed strengthening bilateral energy cooperation

Cypriot minister not optimistic GSI cable project Greece Turkish intimidation

Cypriot minister not optimistic about cable project with Greece amid Turkish intimidation

14 February 2025 - Cypriot Minister of Finance Makis Keravnos said the GSI undersea cable project still faces very serious political obstacles

ETIP SNET seeks input strategic paper AI smart grids

ETIP SNET seeks input for strategic paper on AI in smart grids

14 February 2025 - ETIP SNET drafted a strategic position paper – guide for unlocking AI and GenAI potential in smart grids and the energy transition

NGEN commissions Austria’s largest battery storage system

NGEN commissions Austria’s largest battery storage system

13 February 2025 - Slovenia-based NGEN put Austria’s largest battery energy storage system into operation. It installed it in record time – just seven months.