WIND’S PROGRESS

Wind Energy Outlook for North America; Market Drivers for Onshore and Offshore Wind Power, Regulatory and Policy Issues, Technology Issues, Key Industry Players, and Wind Capacity & Revenue Forecasts
3Q 2011 (Pike Research)

"The North American wind energy industry is lagging in key areas compared to Europe and Asia, but many key industry players are optimistic about the North American market…[T]urbine costs continue to drop…In 2010, a total of 5,784 MW of wind capacity was installed in North America…[which has] more than 22% of the world’s total installed wind capacity…[The U.S. is] the second largest wind market…

"…As a region, North America fell to third place in cumulative installations in 2009 behind Asia Pacific and Europe. Pike Research expects installations in the region to reach 125 GW by 2017, with offshore installations accounting for fewer than 3% of that total. Pike Research anticipates that 2011 will be another difficult year…[but sees] tentative signs of recovery."

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"Pike Research’s analysis indicates that wind energy installation costs in the United States will total more than $125 billion between 2011 and 2017, capturing 15% of the global market during that period. Canada will reach 15 GW of total wind capacity by 217, with more than 400 MW of that amount derived from offshore installations…In Canada, installation costs will total $19.3 billion between 2011 and 2017…

"…In the midst of this market transition, turbine manufacturer market shares [will be] fluid…In 2010, Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Sinovel overtook GE Wind Energy to become the second largest wind turbine supplier worldwide, and came in at less than 1% (350 MW) behind industry leader Vestas…"