The latest such assessment has made it clear that the target is achievable, so it is likely that 1,250 GW of wind power will be have been installed worldwide by 2020.

At present, approximately 60,000 MW have been installed worldwide - with Europe as the dominant market, accounting for more than 70% of the total installed capacity. However, wind energy is gaining momentum in other parts of the world and today, wind turbines contribute to energy production in more than 50 countries around the world.

A study carried out in connection with the international wind power exhibition WindEnergy (Hamburg, May 2006) suggests that 132,000 MW of wind turbine capacity will have been installed by 2010, and that the global total will reach approximately 210,000 MW by 2014.

This study also states that generally speaking, European development will remain reasonably stable in terms of market volume through 2008-12. The development of non-European markets, however, will be even more significant. At individual market level, the significance of those of France, Italy, Spain and Germany is likely to decline slightly from a global perspective, whereas those of Canada, India, China, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and the United States are expected to make an appreciable contribution to world market growth.

For Europe as a whole, the intended targets are 75,000 MW by 2010 and 180,000 MW by 2020, with 10,000 MW installed offshore in 2010 and 70,000 MW in 2020.

For the period 2007-2013, the European Parliament has passed a bill to allocate two-thirds of the EU research budget for non-nuclear energy to regenerative energy and energy efficiency. Regenerative energy is thus set to play a central role in the future European energy supply mix. For the wind power industry, this decision has provided the impetus to step up development in the fields of technology and cost reduction.

Today, wind power is the source of appreciable volumes of energy - particularly in Denmark, Spain and Germany, where energy from wind turbines covers 20.8% and 6% respectively of the national electricity consumption.

The findings of the German study mentioned above are largely confirmed by forecasts from BTM Consult, an independent Danish company, which state that up to 2015, installed capacity will experience an annual increase of 13.5%, and that the most rapidly expanding markets will be those of India, China and the United States.

On the basis of predicted total installation figures of more than 1,000 GW, BTM Consult expects wind power to account for 8.6% of electricity consumption worldwide by 2025. At that time, the markets of North America, Asia and Europe are expected to have almost identical volumes of installed capacity. This is in line with recent forecasts put forward by the European Wind Energy Association and Greenpeace International. The forecasts and figures available suggest that by 2020, the United States and Canada will have 310,000 MW installed, while Europe (mainly the EU countries) will have reached 230,000 MW and Asia (including Australia, India, Japan and China) will have available capacity of approximately 380,000 MW.

The following sections take a look at selected individual markets - although not those of Denmark, France and Germany, which are described in separate articles.

Australia

Available capacity currently amounts to approximately 400 MW, but wind power plants totalling around 1,300 MW have already been approved and/or are under construction, and plans involving hundreds more MW are in the development phase. Australia is thus making good progress towards its target of having 9,500 GW supplied from renewable sources in 2010 .

According to a report issued by the Australian Greenhouse Office (2003),the national electricity market will be able to assimilate 8,000 GW of wind energy capacity.

Brazil

Brazil has developed into the most promising wind energy market in South America. At present, 70% of the electricity generated in the country stems from large-scale hydroelectric plants, while the share supplied by wind turbines is extremely modest.

However, a programme to promote the introduction of new forms of renewable energy is expected to have a major impact on the development of wind energy. In the first phase, the aim is to install 1,100-1,350 MW in just two years. The second phase - which is to run until 2022 - is likely to involve the installation of 100-200 MW annually.

Canada

Some of the best wind resources in the world are to be found in Canada, which currently has around 700 MW of installed capacity. The national targets are for 4,000 MW in 2010 and 5,000 MW over the following two years.

By signing the Kyoto Protocol, Canada committed itself to achieving a 6% reduction in CO₂-emissions compared with 1990 levels, and investments in clean energy sources, including wind energy, will play a major part in reaching this target. In this connection, the provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have implemented fundamental changes in their electrical systems with a view to ensuring better integration of wind energy. Moreover, Newfoundland/Labrador and British Columbia - the only Canadian provinces without wind energy - recently started work on projects in this field.

China

Rapid economic growth and widespread waste have put pressure on the Chinese energy sector. This is one of the reasons why a renewable energy act was passed recently. This act will contribute to promoting the development of wind energy in China, which is currently home to just under 2% of the world's wind turbines.

Wind turbines in China currently supply approximately 1,000 MW, while the target for the end of 2010 has been set at 4,000 MW of installed capacity. In the long term, the Chinese government aims to install 20 GW - or even more - by 2020.

These targets seem viable, taking into account the vast territories and long coastline of the nation. According to research conducted by the Chinese meteorological office, onshore potential is estimated at 253 GW and there is offshore potential of 750 GW.

Egypt

Some of the most favourable wind resources in the world are to be found along the shores of the Egyptian Red Sea, and the Egyptian government is beginning to give priority to the development of renewable energy.

Estonia

The Estonian government has adopted a long-term plan for developing the energy sector. For example, the plan states that the share of renewables must have been increased from its current level of 0.3% to 5.1% by 2010 - and that ten years later, this share is to have risen to 10%.

Great Britain

According to government plans, 10% of British energy production is to stem from renewable energy sources by 2010, with the figure rising to 20% ten years later. Under these plans, a further extension of the offshore wind farm programme has already been announced. At present, around 2% of the world's wind turbines are installed in Great Britain.

The British Wind Energy Association has calculated that at a realistic target for the end of the current decade is approximately 7,500 MW of installed capacity.

Hungary

In connection with initiatives to expand wind power production, plans have been drawn up to establish wind farms in the western and southern regions of Hungary. Approximately 10-12 wind turbines have already been installed, although they generate very little energy at present.

India

More than 4,000 MW of wind power capacity has already been installed in India. This corresponds to a little more than 6% of global capacity. India is thus the leading wind power country in Asia, although the country still has a long way to go to fulfil its total wind power potential, which is estimated to be 45,000 MW.

Up until now, production has been concentrated in five regions, particularly the Tamil Nadu region in the south of the country. However, the picture is gradually changing with wind turbines gaining ground all over India. Against this background, it is estimated that the governmental target of establishing a further 5,000 MW by 1012 is viable.

Italy

Today, more than 1,200 MW are installed in Italy, but surveys suggest a total potential of at least 5,000 MW. On the basis of factors including the desire to meet Kyoto targets, the aim is to have least 2,500 MW installed by 2010.

Renewables currently cover a little more than 7% of total national consumption in Italy, and the country is home to just under 3% of the world's operating wind turbines.

Japan

The Japanese wind energy market has developed quite handsomely over recent years: from a little more than 450 MW at the end of 2002 to approximately 1,000 MW today. The government's stated aim is for 3,000 MW installed in 2010, and the Japanese wind energy organisation has proposed 11,800 MW as the target for 2030.

Norway

Around 99% of Norwegian electricity requirements are covered by hydroelectric power, but as demand has been growing rapidly in recent years, serious consideration is being given to using wind turbines to cover part of the rising energy demands. Several energy associations have already obtained licences to establish wind farms.

The Philippines

The Philippines intend to become the leading producer of wind energy in South-east Asia by doubling their share of renewable energy by 2013. The government's vision is to install more than 400 MW of wind energy over a period of less than ten years.

Poland

Wind energy has been accorded higher priority in both in the national development plan for the period up until 2013, and in Polish energy policy from now until 2025. It seems that action is being suited to word, as moves have been made to facilitate access to borrowing capital in connection with projects to establish wind turbines, and additional direct public subsidies for investments in wind power projects have been initiated.

Installed capacity in Poland currently amounts to a little less than 100 MW, and the Polish market has the potential to become the most promising market in Central Europe.

Portugal

The official target for wind power is 3,750 MW in 2010, but this figure is expected to rise to 5,000 MW as Portugal had already installed the first 1,000 MW at the end of 2005.

Spain

As Spain does not have substantial reserves of conventional energy resources, renewable energy is a big issue there. This has made Spain one of the very largest energy markets in the world. Slightly under 18% of the world's wind turbines are installed in this country.

The national plan for renewable energy states that in 2010, 12% of Spain's energy consumption is to be covered by renewable sources - including wind energy.

In 1999, wind turbines generated a little less than 1,500 MW in Spain, a figure that had increased to more than 6,000 MW four years later. Today, approximately Spain has 10,000 MW of installed capacity and it is estimated that the national target of 20,000 MW will be reached earlier than expected.

South Africa

The South African coastline holds considerable potential for wind energy. This is expected to play a significant role when the government plan to produce 10,000 GW of renewable energy by 2013 is launched.

Sweden

In the course of only ten years, the government intends to increase the volume of Swedish electricity generated by wind turbines from 1,000 MW to 10,000 MW. For example, as from 2007, Vattenfall will be installing around fifty 2.3 MW turbines - which will be able to cover the energy needs of 60,000 households.

Turkey

Wind power potential in Turkey is estimated at 88,000 MW, with 10,000 MW being a realistic target in the short term. Projects amounting to 4-5,000 MW are currently working their way through legal and practical planning systems.

United States

In the United States, there is an urgent demand to reduce dependency on oil supplies. This has recently contributed to stimulating interest in efficient energy exploitation and to promoting alternative energy sources - including wind power. Today, more than 14% of the world's wind turbines are already operating in the United States.

The energy act that was passed in 2005 involves tax benefits, loan guarantees and subsidies for research and development into a wide range of alternative and renewable energy technologies. The act should be seen in the context of the United States' target of reducing oil imports from the Middle East by 75% by 2025, and of finding other sources of energy to replace oil.

Installed capacity in the United States currently totals 7,000 MW. It is expected that in the immediate future a further 3,000 MW will be installed every year. The United States should thus be able to reach 15,000 MW of installed capacity by the end of 2009. In the longer term, it is estimated that it the United States has the capacity to install 100 GW of wind energy - enough to cover 6% of the country's total electricity requirements.