Major trends in the wind energy development: global trends and cross-country comparisons
Subject The paper overviews the wind energy development during 2000-2013 based on the data provided in annual and topical reports of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), and Windpower Offshore. Objectives The research focuses on major global and regional development trends in the industry. The objectives were to perform cross-country comparisons, provide a detailed description of different stages of the industry development, i.e. initial stage, formation, development and technological maturity, and consider the market behaviour at different stages. I paid particular attention to the study of political and economic factors that had the greatest influence on the industry development. Methods I chose the descriptive statistical analysis as a primary method of the research. Results I distinguished the increase in wind energy facilities production and annual installations in the countries that are not members of the OECD as a major trend determining further development of the industry. Due to relatively high inertia of the industry, it is possible to expect a growth in annual installations in the countries where production is well adjusted and there is a project pipeline, i.e. availability of numerous wind projects at various stages of implementation. The most vulnerable markets are those, where due to the lack of investment, production capacity or market potential, the effects from economies of scale and/or education are not available yet. Conclusions and Relevance By 2013, the wind energy has come to technological and industrial maturity and become a viable sector of the world economy, capable to develop not only and not so much due to external stimuli, but following the internal logic of its development and functioning.