Europe #1 For Wind Farm Production
Boots On The Roof
USA! USA! USA!
Wait, what? Really? Sorry.
Europe! Europe! Europe!
Time to step it up, America. According to Pike Research, Europe is currently besting us in the offshore wind farm race. I, for one, am green with envy. Bad pun. Sorry.
Anyway, according to my sources, Europe’s wind power capacity isexpected to climb from 4.1 GW in 2011 to 70.1 GW by 2017, along withabout $4.5 billion in revenues.
So what’s the deal? According to Peter Asmus, a senior analyst withPike Research and author of the report, Europe’s wind farm advantage can be attributed primarily to public policy and a thriving wind energy industry. It also doesn’t hurt that some of the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturers and engineering firms are based in Europe.
Asmus indicates that the United Kingdom has pre-approved 49 GW of offshore wind capacity, worth a potential investment of $100 billion.
“Of all the European nations, the United Kingdom has taken the mostmarket-based approach to the development of its offshore windresources,” said Asmus in his report. “Yet it also offers the greatestlevel of government subsidy. “
Another top European contender for biggest renewable energy “blow”-hard would be Germany. According to Asmus’ findings, whileGermany lacks the coastlines of some countries, which requires plantingtheir turbines in deeper waters, Germany has significantly accelerated its offshore wind development, thanks also to favorable public policy.
Asmus also states that China’s offshore wind market will “pull even”with Europe by the end of 2017. China has just completed construction on a 102 MW wind farm, the country’s first.
My fellow Americans, clearly the time has come to stop talking about the importance of going green and start going. We’ve got a reputation to protect, and I’m not talking about ourreputation as the most obese nation. We can give that one up anytimeya’ll are ready. No, I’m talking about that reputation of being the most resourceful, innovative, and forward-thinking of people; people who see the future and embrace it. Let’s work together now people. I know wecan do it.
Sources:
Post from: Boots On The Roof
