After years of being considered the non-productive hobby of nature lovers, wind energy is on an upward trajectory, especially in the export market.
Financial report for 2005 and half of 2006 show the upswing with the German wind energy sector making up about $ 5 billion of the global $ 13.4 billion in sales.
The export of German-made wind energy equipment has risen significantly over the past 2 years with their biggest importer being the US where wind energy production is growing.
Despite increased exports, Germany has seen a drop in domestic sales due to unclear laws on wind power facility establishment and citizen protests about wind farms near their localities.
In the current climate of increasing energy insecurity, environmental hazards and shaky oil prices, it is hopeful to note that that percentage of energy produced by wind energy doubles every three years.
In Germany, it s still a concern that the wind energy sector is largely dependent on exports and has a way to go before it makes a real dent in the need for energy production with fossil fuels.
The one problem for this sector is that other energy producers might have to jump in if winds in Germany die down over a period. But advocates of wind energy say that the German limit lies between 20 and 25 percent and the current production is only 6.8 percent.
The federal government of Germany aims to produce 20 percent of its energy needs through enviromentally friendly methods by 2020.
What Watts Going On will watch out for: The energy summit in October that is to push for more resources being invested in wind energy production.
Picture courtesy: www.flickr.com
Leave a comment