Wind energy: No more turbo growth for the turbines

Even the Wind energy lobby now has to admit, that there will be no turbo growth for the turbines during the next few years:

The outlook remains bumpy for the wind-power industry after regulatory turmoil along with flattening demand in China hampered growth in key markets last year, according to a report from the Global Wind Energy Council released Tuesday at the European Wind Energy Association’s annual event in Copenhagen.

Potentially sluggish demand after presidential elections in the U.S. and Europe’bt troubles are further expected to weigh on the industry’s growth potential in coming years, while new markets in South America and Canada likely will make up for lost momentum.

The sector grew 6% in 2011, with the majority of new wind turbines being installed outside traditional markets like Europe and the U.S. Before the financial crisis undercut funding and triggered cuts in governmental subsidies, the sector as a whole saw growth rates of 34% and 45% in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Read the entire article here

The wind energy growth in 2008 and 2009 was possible only because of large subsidies and tax credits. Now, when plenty of much better and cheaper energy - like shale gas - is available, why should countries like the US and China waste taxpayers´ money on subsidies and tax breaks for the expensive, ineffective,  unreliable and ugly bird killing turbines!