Wind capacity expected to reach 500 GW in 2016

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Wind power capacity across the globe is expected to rise to 500 GW by the end of 2016, could meet 4.7% of the world’s electricity needs, according to World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).

Overall wind capacity increased by 5% within the first six months of 2016, an almost identical growth pattern to the first half of 2015 when 21.6 GW of wind turbines were added. In mid-2016, wind turbines installed across the globe could meet 4.7% of the world’s electricity needs according to the WWEA half year-report, released October 10, 2016.

According to the report, additional capacity in excess of 40 GW is scheduled to be installed in the second half of the year, taking new installations in 2016 to at least 60 GW; around 1.5GW more than the previous year. Global capacity was calculated as 456 GW at the end of June, with 21...