GWEO 2008: 10 billion tonne saving in CO2 possible with wind energy by 2020
The ‘Global Wind Energy Outlook 2008’, published by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and Greenpeace International, looks at the global potential of wind power up to 2050 and found that it could play a key part in achieving a decline in emissions by 2020, which the IPCC indicates is necessary to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. By 2020, wind power could save as much as 1.5 billion tonnes of CO2 every year, which would add up to over 10 billion tonnes in this timeframe.
The report also explains how wind energy can provide up to 30% of the world’s electricity by the middle of the century. More importantly, wind power could save as much as 1.5 billion tonnes of CO2 every year by 2020.
GWEO 2008 explores three different scenarios for wind power – a Reference scenario based on figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA); a Moderate version which assumes that current targets for renewable energy are successful; and an Advanced Scenario which assumes that all policy options in favour of renewables have been adopted. These are then set against two demand projections for global energy demand.
Wind energy has already become a mainstream power generation source in many regions around the world, and it is being deployed in over 70 countries. In addition to environmental benefits, wind energy also provides a sustainable answer to increasing concerns about security of energy supply and volatile fossil fuel prices. Moreover, wind energy is becoming a substantial factor in economic development, providing more than 350,000 ‘green collar’ jobs today both in direct and indirect employment. By 2020, this figure is projected to increase to over 2 million.
Graphs, table and maps:
- Global Cumulative Inst. Cap. 1996-2007
- Global Annual Inst. Cap. 1996-2007
- Annual Inst. Cap. by Region 2003-2007
- Top 10 New Inst. Cap. (Jan-Dec 2007)
- Top 10 US States by Megawatts of Wind Power Generating Cap. (as of 30 June 2008)
- Growth of the Chinese Market 1995-2007
- Foreign and Domestic Players in the Chinese Market (Annual Inst. Cap.)
- Decibel Chart
- Causes of Bird Fatalities
- Summary of Global Wind Energy Outlook Scenario for 2020 & 2050
- Global Cumulative New Wind Cap.
- Global Cumulative Cap. [MW] and Electricity Generation [TWh]
- Wind Power Penetration of World’s Electricity Supply
- 3 Different Wind Market Development Scenarios with Different Electricity Demand Developments
- Regional Break Down: Reference Scenario [GW]
- Regional Break Down: Moderate Scenario [GW]
- Regional Break Down: Advanced Scenario [GW]
- Costs and Capacities
- Investment and Employment
- Cumulative CO2 reduction
- Annual CO2 reduction
- CO2 Emissions
- Annual Contract Volumes 2005-2008
- What will be the cost of carbon in 2020?
- Wind CDM Projects (as of 1 October 2008)