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Spotlight
New Delhi, 2 April 2007
WIND FOR POWER
BLOWS STRONGER
NEW DELHI, April 3 (INFA): Wind energy is
continuing its strong pace across
the world. According to the World Wind Energy Association
(WWEA), as much as 14,900 MW was added during 2006, bringing the total global
installed capacity to 73,904 MW by the end of December last.
This translates into a growth rate of 25 per cent which is a
percentage point higher than that in 2005. The current installed wind power
capacity generates more than 1 per cent of the global electricity consumption.
Based on the accelerated development, the WWEA has increased its prediction for
2010 and expects 160,000 MW to be installed by the end of 2010.
Five countries added more than 1000 MW in the past year.
They are the US (2454 MW), Germany (2194), India
(1840 MW), Spain (1587 MW)
and China
1145 MW). China
moved up two notches in overall installed capacity from the eighth position in
2005 to the sixth in 2006, showing a market growth of 91 per cent.
Four countries, namely France
(810 MW), Canada (768 MW), Portugal (628 MW), and the United Kingdom
(610 MW) added more than 500 MW and showed excellent growth rates. The most
dynamic market in 2006 was Brazil,
which added 208 MW, equal to a seven-fold increase of installed capacity within
one year.
Texas, which is the leading US State in terms of wind power
capacity (having overtaken California), has recently announced a major
public-private initiative to further diversify and expand the wind generating
capacity in the state.
The $10 billion partnership would see eight private
companies investing in wind energy generation, and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) undertaking construction of additional
transmission lines to capture and
deliver the power.
The planned expansion of wind energy in the State builds on
initiatives developed in 2003 with the creation of the Texas Energy Planning
Council.
The Council which was charged with developing a long-term
energy plan for the State, recommended that by 2025, 10 per cent of the State’s
power needs should come from renewable sources and that the PUC should
construct additional transmission
lines to boost the development of wind energy.
From the energy conservation point of view, for every 1000
MW generated by new wind sources, Texas
will reduce CO2 emissions
by 6 million tonnes over the next 20 years! Money for the construction still
has to be approved by the Texas legislature,
but with so many companies committing to join in, the future of wind energy in Texas sure looks bright.
---INFA
POLITICAL STRUGGLE
IN ANDHRA
Hyderabad, April 3 (INFA): Three years after
being thrown out of power Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh has taken a
beating. It is now struggling to enroll
members.
It may be added that its party membership has gone down to
20 lakh in December last year. Unless this number goes up, the party may find it
difficult to take on the Congress at
the hustings.
Verily nowadays, the former Chief Minister, Chandrababu
Naidu is a worried man.---INFA
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