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By Aayushi Sharma
Renewable energy sources are clean, limitless, and sustainable. Their main differences from fossil fuels are their diversity, abundance, and global use, but most importantly, they don’t emit any polluting or greenhouse gasses, which are the main cause of climate change. Despite their current volatility, the overall cost trend for fossil fuels is declining, while their costs are likewise declining at a sustainable rate.
Here is the list of world’s leading renewable energy generating countries in the world.
1. China
China is a global leader in wind energy generation. The country had a significant installed capacity for wind power, contributing substantially to its renewable energy goals.
China experienced a remarkable surge in its solar capacity, averaging an annual growth of 78.3 TWh in 2021-22, doubling the pace observed from 2015 to 2020. Similarly, the recent expansion of China’s wind power sector outpaced other significant markets, with cumulative growth in 2021-22 being 3.6 times greater than that of the United States and 7.3 times more than Europe during the same period.
2. USA
Over the past three decades, wind electricity generation in the United States has witnessed significant growth, propelled by advancements in wind energy technology that have led to a decline in generation costs. Government mandates and financial incentives for renewable energy, both in the US and globally, have played a crucial role in fostering the expansion of wind power.
The total annual electricity generated from wind energy in the US surged from approximately 6 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2000 to about 380 billion kWh in 2021. As of 2022, wind turbines contributed around 10.2% to the total US utility-scale electricity generation. This category encompasses facilities with a minimum electricity generation capacity of one megawatt (1,000 kilowatts).
3. Germany
Wind power is Germany’s primary renewable energy source. It is expected to play a central role in the nation’s transition away from fossil fuels, potentially forming the backbone of the entire energy system. At the end of 2022, Germany had over 28,440 onshore wind turbines, collectively generating approximately 58 gigawatts (GW) of capacity across the country.
Germany boasts one of the world’s largest onshore wind power capacities, fostering efficiency gains and cost reductions in the technology over several years. Despite its pivotal role in the government’s ambitious energy transition plans, the German wind power industry has faced challenges such as declining expansion volumes, plant closures, and persistent bureaucratic hurdles. This factsheet delves into the current state of the German wind power industry, key players, and the status of funding and support in an energy landscape increasingly oriented towards renewable power sources.
4. India
India’s wind power sector is primarily driven by its domestic industry, showcasing steady advancements. The sector’s growth has cultivated a robust environment, with capabilities in project operations and an annual manufacturing capacity of around 15,000MW. Today, India is the world’s fourth-largest in installed wind capacity. The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has deployed more than 900 wind-monitoring stations nationwide, providing wind potential maps at various heights above ground level. The latest evaluation reveals a wind power potential of 695.50 GW at 120 meters and 1163.9 GW at 150 meters above ground level.
Rajasthan possesses the highest wind energy potential, with an estimated capacity of 4,858 MW. This calculation considers a one per cent land availability in potential areas and a land requirement of 12 hectares per MW. Possible sites are identified based on a wind power density of 200 watts per square meter or higher at a 50-meter hub height.
5. Spain
In 2021, the Spanish wind sector successfully added 842.61 MW, making wind power the leading technology in Spain, contributing to 25.7% of the installed power capacity on the Spanish peninsula. Spain ranked seventh in Europe for new wind energy investments, with decisions amounting to 1.5 billion EUR (1.83 billion USD) in new onshore wind farms.
The Spanish government approved the first Offshore Wind Roadmap in 2021 to accelerate offshore wind development. The goal is to have up to 3 GW of offshore wind operational by 2030, exclusively in the form of floating offshore wind, due to Spain’s geographical characteristics. Ports and shipyards in Spain, already crucial in other parts of Europe, are expected to play a vital role in further developing Spain’s floating wind supply chain, stimulated by the new roadmap.
6. United Kingdom
Renewable sources contribute to almost a third of power in the UK, with half of this coming from wind energy. Onshore and offshore wind generation are pivotal in transitioning to a future-proof energy system. The UK has installed over 12 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity, fostering job creation and local economic growth. A substantial investment of nearly £19 billion in offshore wind from 2016 to 2021 supports jobs in manufacturing, project development, construction, and operations across the UK.
The offshore wind sector envisions a transformative sector deal that aims to create tens of thousands of highly productive, skilled jobs nationwide, positioning offshore wind as the cornerstone of a clean, reliable, and affordable energy system in the UK.
7. Brazil
The state of Rio Grande do Norte is the leading wind energy producer in Brazil, with expectations of further growth in its installed capacity in the upcoming months. The region experiences higher wind intensity from June to December, aligning with the period of lower rainfall intensity.
By July 2022, Brazil had achieved an installed wind power capacity of 22 GW. In 2021, Brazil held the seventh position globally in terms of installed wind power, totalling 21 GW, and ranked as the fourth-largest wind energy producer worldwide, generating 72 TWh. Notably, Brazil trailed behind China, the USA, and Germany in wind energy production. As of August 2021, the country’s total installed wind power capacity was 18.9 GW, distributed with 16.4 GW in the Northeast Region and 2.0 GW in the South Region.
8. France
France has a total wind power capacity of 22.4 GW. In the first half of 2020, the country’s wind parks generated 24.8 TWh of electricity, with 0.8 TWh coming from offshore parks. The increase in wind turbine installations led to a 29% rise in generation on an annual basis, contributing to 10.8% of the national electricity consumption during that period.
9. Canada
Wind energy has become Canada’s most economical source of new electricity generation, with more wind capacity added in the past decade than any other energy form. The largest wind farm, Black Spring Ridge in Vulcan County, Alberta, boasts 166 wind turbines.
Even smaller communities like Richibucto and Rexton in New Brunswick contribute to green energy with single wind turbines feeding power into the grid. Reflecting a commitment to sustainability, in April 2021, the Government of Canada heightened its national greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target to 40%-45% below 2005 levels by 2030, a more ambitious goal than the previous target of a 30% reduction by 2030.
10. Sweden
In 2021, Sweden witnessed a substantial increase in wind energy capacity, installing 2042 MW, surpassing the 1403 MW added in 2020. The year-end figures revealed a total installed capacity of 12116 MW across 4679 wind turbines. Aligned with the EU burden-sharing agreement, Sweden has committed to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2005.
Nationally, Sweden aims for no net emissions of greenhouse gasses by 2045, eventually achieving negative emissions. To achieve zero net emissions, activities within the Swedish territory should see at least an 85% reduction compared to 1990 emissions. Another national target is achieving 100% renewable electricity production by 2040, with the Swedish Energy Agency estimating the need for 2.5 to 6 TWh of additional renewable power capacity annually between 2030 and 2040, with wind power playing a significant role in reaching this goal.
References:
https://www.iea.org/energy-system/renewables
https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts
https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/renewable-energy
https://www.renewableuk.com/page/WindEnergy
Image Source:
- Photo by Miguel A. https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-wind-turbines-under-a-a-blue-sky-6135900/
- Photo by Sam Foron https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-wind-turbines-on-the-field-5842545/
- Photo by Maria Orlova https://www.pexels.com/photo/roadway-through-green-field-with-wind-farm-4916122/
