The unstoppable growth of wind energy in the world: China, the US and more

La wind power Wind energy has ceased to be a promise and has become a key reality in the global energy transition. It is a renewable source that continues to grow at an accelerated pace and, in addition to contributing to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, is capable of generating clean energy at a competitive cost in many parts of the world. In this article we will delve into the most recent advances in wind energy, both globally and in countries such as China, the United States, and those that are leading this energy transition.

According to the latest available data, at least 84 countries are using wind energy in their electrical networks. This shows that this form of energy is taking center stage in a large number of regions around the world. The growth of wind energy is such that by 2023 the global installed capacity will reach 837 GW, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). This impressive progress has meant that wind power now represents a significant share of electricity supply in several regions of the world.

The growth of this energy source shows no signs of slowing down and continues to become a more cost-effective alternative every year. Below, we will analyze the current global landscape, focusing on the countries that lead in wind energy production, as well as the new technologies that are driving its advancement.

The main producers of wind energy

The wind industry is dominated by several major powers that have invested heavily in this technology. At a global level, China is the leading producer of wind energy, closely followed by the United States, which has also made significant progress in recent years.

In the case of China, the country continues to expand its installed capacity to levels never seen before. In 2023, China added another 76 GW of new wind capacity, reaching a total of more than 328 GW, which consolidates it as a leader in this sector. In addition, this growth is expected to continue increasing, since China is also investing in offshore technology, with more than 26 GW of offshore wind capacity already established.

In the United States, wind energy remains a priority due to its abundant land area and favorable conditions. American wind production has already reached 132 GW of installed capacity. With this level, wind energy covers more than 9% of energy consumption of the country, although in some states such as Iowa and South Dakota, this figure is much higher, reaching over 50% in these territories thanks to their vast plains.

Germany, for its part, maintains a solid position as the world's third largest producer of wind energy. By 2023, this European country has added more than 64 GW of installed capacity, consolidating itself as the undisputed leader in Europe. Germany has been a pioneer in the development of onshore and offshore wind technology, and its goal is to obtain the 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035To achieve this goal, it is planned to increase onshore wind capacity to 110 GW and, on the high seas, up to the 30 GW.

China: a wind energy giant

China is not only the largest producer of wind energy, but has also become the fastest growing country in this area. It is expected that by 2020, 2025, China has an installed capacity of 347,2 GW of wind power on land alone. The Asian giant's commitment to renewable energy is clear, both on land and offshore, and its speed of expansion is such that it is expected to exceed 100,000 in that period. 962,6 GW globally.

This commitment is not only a response to the growing energy demand of its population, but also responds to the need to reduce air pollution that seriously affects its main cities. In addition, in the field of offshore technology, the country is also breaking records, having installed more offshore wind energy capacity than any other country in the last decade.

Despite these successes, it is worth noting that China still faces significant challenges related to grid standardisation and the need to improve its infrastructure to ensure that energy generated by wind farms reaches large cities efficiently.

Other key countries in wind energy production

Other countries that are investing heavily in wind energy, in addition to China, the United States and Germany, include: India, which already has more than 40 GW installed capacity of wind turbines. This growth in India is mainly due to the demands of its growing population and economy. In addition, the aim is to improve infrastructure in rural areas where wind energy provides access to electricity without the need for complex centralised power grids.

Brazil is another country to consider, with 21,2 GW capacity by 2023, placing it in seventh place worldwide in terms of installed capacity. The favorable climate for wind generation in Brazil, especially in coastal regions, has favored the rapid expansion of this technology in the South American country.

Europe, on the other hand, has maintained its leadership in offshore wind energy. United Kingdom y Denmark They are the largest exponents of this type of energy on the continent, with the United Kingdom reaching an installed capacity of 27,1 GW in 2023, of which 12,7 GW come from offshore parks. Denmark, although small in area, has the 67% of its electricity comes from renewables, mainly from wind energy, which represents a world record.

Another growing market is that of Spain. According to the latest available data, wind energy provides more than 23% of electricity of Spain, which puts it in an excellent position to achieve clean energy goals for 2030. In total, Spain has more than 27,5 GW installed capacity, which places it among the top five countries with the highest wind production.

The advantages and challenges of wind energy

Wind power is not only beneficial in terms of reducing emissions, but it has also become a very cost-effective technology. One of the main reasons for this is that wind turbines have evolved over the past decades, becoming larger and more efficient. The tallest towers and the longest blades They allow more energy to be captured from the wind, while improvements in the supply chain and manufacturing have managed to reduce the cost per megawatt produced.

However, the expansion of wind energy is not without its challenges. One of the most important is the impact on wildlife and visuals. Wind turbines can affect birds and cause disturbance to local people due to their size and noise. However, many of these problems can be mitigated with specific regulations and more careful design.

Another challenge is intermittency. The wind does not always blow with the same force, which can cause difficulties in managing the power grid. The solution to this problem lies in the energy storage, an area where companies like Tesla are making great strides with high-capacity batteries.

Despite these challenges, the positive impact of wind energy in the fight against climate change is undeniable. Investments in research and development are helping to solve these problems and make wind energy play an increasingly relevant role in the global energy mix.

The development of new technologies is another key to the future of wind energy. Initiatives such as the Vortex bladeless turbine They are an example of how innovation can help reduce costs and minimise environmental impact. This technology, developed in Spain, proposes replacing traditional blades with a vertical cylinder that vibrates in resonance with the wind, generating electricity.

Wind energy is vital not only for the generation of clean energy, but also for combating climate change and dependence on fossil fuels. With constant and sustained growth, wind energy is destined to become one of the fundamental pillars of global energy production in the coming decades.