Introduction 

• ABS believes that this is the most important Wind Report that we have yet produced
• The global installed capacity of wind turbines reached 59 GW by the end of 2005
• It is forecast that installed capacity of wind power will reach 136 GW by 2010
• 55% (75 GW) of which will be installed in Europe, 23% (31 GW) in North America and 22% (30 GW)
in the rest of the world
• The last year has seen marked changes in the national rankings in terms of wind power, both
among the market leaders and among the up and coming countries.
• Sudden activity has pushed some markets forward, others have slowed down as their wind market
matures
• The other feature of development has been the widening of the market to new countries, with
many taking their first steps into the market
• The five big markets remain the leaders, Germany, Spain, the USA, India and Denmark, with India
overtaking Denmark
• Significant industry issues are emerging as operational data becomes available from the major
wind power operators such as E.ON Netz, Eltra and ESB
• In 2003 the Irish government declared a moratorium on further wind power development. This
opens many questions about the assumptions and claims made for wind power

Key Findings 

• The wind power industry is reaching a highly controversial phase in its development as solid
operational data becomes available about its performance, limitations and effects on the grid
• The ABS report concludes that governments, developers and operators should seriously consider
their options regarding wind power
• Wind power reports have now been published by energy agencies and the network operators in
USA, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Ireland, delineating critical problems. Deutsche Energie-
Agentur (dena) has published a comprehensive report on German wind power on behalf of the
Federal Government, together with the utility and wind and industries
• The dena report assessed the capacity credit of wind power in Germany in 2003 as 890-1,230 MW,
i.e. 6% of installed wind capacity of 14,603 MW, rising to 1,820-2,300 MW for 36,000 MW installed
in 2015, with a reserve capacity requirement of 7,000 MW
• The claimed savings in GHG emissions has been questioned
• Denmark exported over 80% of wind generated electricity to Norway in 2004, which has 98.5%
carbon-free hydro generation, because wind delivered a surplus of 84%, according to the CEO of
Eltra, almost nullifying any emissions savings
• Wind’s intermittency places a large strain on system balance
• A new understanding is emerging about the relative efficiencies and emissions of base load
operation of fossil fuel plant versus plant used in back up of a variable source
• Wind power has been promoted for politico/environmental reasons and wind developers have
benefited from substantial subsidies, leading to exaggerated claims. A reality check is needed.