Wind energy is a form of clean, low-carbon energy that harnesses the power of the natural wind currents in our atmosphere. This type of energy, in tandem with other low-carbon sources like solar and nuclear, forms a pivotal front in the global fight against climate change and air pollution. Wind energy, as beautifully simplistic as it is, harnesses an abundant and renewable source of power that contributes significantly to the global mix of green energy.
To convert wind into electricity, wind turbines are utilized. These large structures capture the kinetic energy of the wind using aerodynamic blades that spin as the wind passes across them. The spinning motion is transferred into a generator within the turbine where it is converted into electrical energy. This sustainable method of producing electricity leaves virtually no carbon footprint, unlike fossil fuel energy sources like coal and gas. Its carbon intensity is extremely low, averaging just 11 gCO2eq/kWh, underlining the environmental-friendly nature of wind power.
One of the significant advantages of wind energy is its contribution to the global electricity supply. As of now, wind energy is generating 8.03% of all electricity consumed globally, showing the technology's broad adoption and potential. Coupled with other low-carbon technology such as nuclear and solar energy, which also have low emission levels, the potential for a more sustainable and greener future is profoundly tangible.
The potential and success of wind energy is further underlined by the adoption rates in several countries. In Denmark, a remarkable 59% of electricity is generated from the wind, showcasing the country's solid commitment to harnessing this green energy source. In Sweden and Finland, the figures stand at 22% and 18% respectively, underlining the fact that wind energy is a crucial element in these countries' energy strategies. Similarly, in Norway and Ireland, wind energy contributes 9% and 35% to their total electricity generation. These impressive figures spotlight the growing tendency towards low-carbon, clean energy alternatives like wind energy, alongside nuclear and solar, as we strive towards a more sustainable planet.
Country/Region | Watts / person | % | TWh |
---|---|---|---|
Denmark | 378.8 W | 59.4% | 19.4 TWh |
Sweden | 372.8 W | 22.0% | 34.2 TWh |
Norway | 293.6 W | 9.1% | 13.9 TWh |
Finland | 289.3 W | 18.2% | 14.0 TWh |
Ireland | 272.5 W | 35.3% | 11.9 TWh |
Germany | 194.7 W | 30.2% | 142.3 TWh |
Netherlands | 189.3 W | 24.1% | 29.0 TWh |
Uruguay | 157.6 W | 39.8% | 4.7 TWh |
Aruba | 150.0 W | 15.1% | 0.1 TWh |
Spain | 146.8 W | 23.5% | 61.1 TWh |
Curaçao | 144.6 W | 27.0% | 0.2 TWh |
United States | 143.8 W | 9.9% | 424.5 TWh |
Portugal | 143.7 W | 22.4% | 13.0 TWh |
Australia | 141.6 W | 12.3% | 32.2 TWh |
United Kingdom | 139.8 W | 27.8% | 82.4 TWh |
Belgium | 139.3 W | 17.4% | 14.2 TWh |
EU | 119.6 W | 18.4% | 466.1 TWh |
Canada | 112.8 W | 6.1% | 37.7 TWh |
Faroe Islands | 107.9 W | 11.9% | 0.1 TWh |
Austria | 105.8 W | 12.8% | 8.3 TWh |
Greece | 103.0 W | 20.5% | 9.4 TWh |
Lithuania | 98.7 W | 18.0% | 2.4 TWh |
Luxembourg | 87.0 W | 10.3% | 0.5 TWh |
France | 83.0 W | 9.7% | 46.9 TWh |
New Zealand | 79.5 W | 8.3% | 3.6 TWh |
People's Republic of China | 77.2 W | 10.6% | 964.4 TWh |
Croatia | 71.2 W | 14.0% | 2.5 TWh |
Estonia | 69.2 W | 10.1% | 0.8 TWh |
Poland | 66.0 W | 14.1% | 22.1 TWh |
Chile | 60.4 W | 11.4% | 10.3 TWh |
Montenegro | 56.3 W | 8.5% | 0.3 TWh |
Brazil | 50.3 W | 13.7% | 94.4 TWh |
Turkey | 45.5 W | 10.8% | 33.8 TWh |
Italy | 44.9 W | 8.2% | 23.3 TWh |
Romania | 44.0 W | 13.2% | 7.5 TWh |
Argentina | 36.1 W | 11.0% | 14.3 TWh |
The World | 32.9 W | 8.0% | 2278.4 TWh |
Costa Rica | 32.3 W | 11.9% | 1.5 TWh |
Republic of China (Taiwan) | 29.7 W | 2.2% | 6.2 TWh |
Mongolia | 25.2 W | 9.0% | 0.7 TWh |
Bulgaria | 24.8 W | 3.8% | 1.5 TWh |
St. Kitts & Nevis | 24.0 W | 4.5% | 0.0 TWh |
New Caledonia | 23.8 W | 1.8% | 0.1 TWh |
Kazakhstan | 22.5 W | 3.4% | 3.8 TWh |
South Africa | 22.3 W | 5.2% | 11.6 TWh |
Mexico | 19.2 W | 5.2% | 21.3 TWh |
Cyprus | 19.1 W | 4.1% | 0.2 TWh |
Morocco | 19.0 W | 15.4% | 6.2 TWh |
Panama | 17.3 W | 5.9% | 0.7 TWh |
Jordan | 16.1 W | 7.1% | 1.6 TWh |
Latvia | 15.4 W | 3.8% | 0.3 TWh |
Serbia | 14.5 W | 2.7% | 0.9 TWh |
Guadeloupe | 14.2 W | 2.9% | 0.1 TWh |
Dominican Republic | 13.2 W | 7.3% | 1.3 TWh |
Vietnam | 12.3 W | 3.8% | 10.5 TWh |
Jamaica | 12.1 W | 6.9% | 0.3 TWh |
Cape Verde | 11.6 W | 13.3% | 0.1 TWh |
Seychelles | 10.7 W | 1.5% | 0.0 TWh |
Nicaragua | 10.5 W | 10.5% | 0.6 TWh |
Japan | 9.3 W | 1.0% | 10.1 TWh |
Honduras | 8.9 W | 6.7% | 0.8 TWh |
Peru | 7.9 W | 3.8% | 2.3 TWh |
Czechia | 7.7 W | 1.0% | 0.7 TWh |
India | 7.5 W | 5.2% | 92.8 TWh |
South Korea | 7.5 W | 0.6% | 3.4 TWh |
Hungary | 7.3 W | 1.5% | 0.6 TWh |
Thailand | 5.8 W | 1.7% | 3.6 TWh |
Puerto Rico | 5.6 W | 0.9% | 0.2 TWh |
North Macedonia | 5.5 W | 1.5% | 0.1 TWh |
Bosnia & Herzegovina | 5.1 W | 1.1% | 0.1 TWh |
Bolivia | 4.6 W | 4.3% | 0.5 TWh |
Egypt | 4.4 W | 2.0% | 4.2 TWh |
Kenya | 4.3 W | 15.0% | 2.0 TWh |
Mauritania | 3.7 W | 7.2% | 0.1 TWh |
Georgia | 3.6 W | 0.8% | 0.1 TWh |
Russia | 3.4 W | 0.4% | 4.4 TWh |
Ukraine | 3.2 W | 1.1% | 1.2 TWh |
Tunisia | 3.1 W | 1.7% | 0.3 TWh |
Oman | 3.0 W | 0.3% | 0.1 TWh |
Sri Lanka | 2.6 W | 2.9% | 0.5 TWh |
Israel | 2.4 W | 0.3% | 0.2 TWh |
Belarus | 2.3 W | 0.4% | 0.2 TWh |
Iceland | 2.2 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
Switzerland | 2.2 W | 0.4% | 0.2 TWh |
Pakistan | 2.2 W | 3.4% | 4.4 TWh |
Guatemala | 2.1 W | 2.2% | 0.3 TWh |
Mauritius | 1.8 W | 0.7% | 0.0 TWh |
Senegal | 1.7 W | 4.2% | 0.3 TWh |
Moldova | 1.4 W | 0.7% | 0.0 TWh |
Ecuador | 1.3 W | 0.6% | 0.2 TWh |
Réunion | 1.3 W | 0.3% | 0.0 TWh |
Philippines | 1.3 W | 1.1% | 1.3 TWh |
Azerbaijan | 1.0 W | 0.3% | 0.1 TWh |
Namibia | 0.9 W | 0.5% | 0.0 TWh |
Ethiopia | 0.6 W | 4.2% | 0.6 TWh |
El Salvador | 0.4 W | 0.2% | 0.0 TWh |
Slovenia | 0.2 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
Lebanon | 0.2 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
Cuba | 0.2 W | 0.1% | 0.0 TWh |
Indonesia | 0.2 W | 0.1% | 0.4 TWh |
Colombia | 0.1 W | 0.1% | 0.0 TWh |
Slovakia | 0.1 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
Venezuela | 0.1 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
Somalia | 0.1 W | 2.4% | 0.0 TWh |
Chad | 0.1 W | 3.2% | 0.0 TWh |
Nepal | 0.0 W | 0.1% | 0.0 TWh |
Algeria | 0.0 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
Saudi Arabia | 0.0 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
Trinidad & Tobago | 0.0 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |
United Arab Emirates | 0.0 W | 0.0% | 0.0 TWh |