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You have full access to this article via your institution. Download PDF The United States has surpassed Germany as the world's largest wind-power producer, according to statistics
released by the Global Wind Energy Council earlier this month. Credit: SOURCE: GWEC/WWEA; IMAGE: J. SOHM/GETTY IMAGES Despite many projects being delayed owing to the economic crunch last
autumn, wind producers around the world installed more than 27 gigawatts of capacity in 2008, bringing global capacity to nearly 121 gigawatts (see chart). The United States led the way with
8.4 gigawatts of new capacity, to reach nearly 25.2 gigawatts in total. Wind turbines provided about 42% of the nation's new power-producing capacity in 2008. Collectively, Europe
added 8.9 gigawatts, bringing its total to 66 gigawatts. China more than doubled its capacity, reaching 12.2 gigawatts, and industry officials say that they expect the country's
capacity to double again this year. The council estimates that the industry now employs some 400,000 people, with the 2008 market for new turbines and installations ringing in at $47.5
billion. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE US takes pole position in generation of wind power. _Nature_ 457, 775 (2009).
https://doi.org/10.1038/457775b Download citation * Published: 01 February 2009 * Issue Date: 12 February 2009 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/457775b SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the
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