WORLD WIND RISING FAST BUT…

Investment bubble: Is the wind energy sector about to pop? With investment in green energy at an all-time high, wind energy developers and operators have never had it so good. But is there a risk that things are perhaps a little too good?
Jason Deign, November 14, 2011 (Wind Energy Update)

"…The industry’s soaring fortunes come on the back of major investor interest in renewable energies generally…[The Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011 study, compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance] published in July, found global investment in green power sources grew 32% in 2010, reaching USD$211 billion, a record level…[and] identified Chinese wind farms as one of the big drivers of growth...

"...China topped the list of countries investing in renewable energy, spending $48.9 billion, a 28% hike on 2009…[and it] accounted for 43% of all new wind capacity worldwide in the first half of 2011 and the figure is expected to grow to 53% in the second half…"

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"But it is not just in China wind energy is in demand…Globally, the first six months of the year saw 18.41 GW of new capacity being installed, a 15% rise on the 16 GW over the same period in 2010…[and it is estimated that] a further 25.5 GW will be installed in the second half of 2011, bringing the total global wind generating capacity to 240 GW, or roughly 3% of the world’s electric power…

"...[T]his growth is attracting a lot of interest from financial speculators…As long as share prices remain at a realistic level relative to potential benefits, that should not be a problem. Those looking for a piece of wind energy action might be advised to exercise a measure of caution, however…The experience from other renewable energy industries [such as Spain’s PV market] indicates that policy changes can easily kill an erstwhile booming market…"