+ 15.08.2009 + SERIES 1: Wind Energy International 2009/2010. This yearbook Wind Energy International 2009/2010 aims at giving its readers an overview of the worldwide status of wind energy.

It i the purpose oft the book to provide decision-makers in governments and administration, in industry and science, international organisations and everybody interested in wind energy with updated, comprehensive and first-hand information on the worldwide status of wind energy utilisation.

You will find that the international situation is quite diverse, in the various countries around the world. 76 country reports are describing the situation in almost 100 countries on all continents.

As reflected by this number which is bigger than in the previous edition, every year the number of countries using wind energy on a commercial basis is growing. Governments as well as industries and the finance sector around the world have started to understand the manifold benefits of wind energy and its contribution to a truly sustainable economy. By the end of the year 2008, 121 GW of grid-connected wind turbines generated more than 1,5% of the global electricity. Slightly more than 1% o the worldwide win capacity was installed offshore. The wind sector today employs half a million people.

One reason for the success of wind energy is that today in most cases wind has become the cheapest option to generate electricity, given a serious, full-cost calculation. This clear economic advantage is certainly one main reason why wind still faces such astonishing growth rates, in times of economic crisis and credit crunch. The energy supply is facing and will see more, even more profound structural changes in the coming years. The Energy Watch Group published in two remarkable studies outlines of future development paths of the global energy supply, much more optimistic, realistic than the scenarios published by the International Energy Agency.

While existing international organisations have neglected renewable energy, the great success of the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA reflects the increasing interest and actual investment in wind farms. By the end of April 2009 already 78 governments have signed the founding statues of IRENA. More information about the working scope of IRENA can be found in an article in this book.

As also reflected in this book, in general a broad geographical diversification of wind energy utilisation can be watched. At the same time, the technological solutions are diversifying as well from MW-size grid connected onshore turbines to multi-MW offshore turbines, stand-alone hybrid systems and to small­scaled windmills for rural electrification. The mostly unknown giant for small scaled wind turbines, China, is expected to play a key role in proliferation of this technology which will be a key for rural electrification in many so called developing countries.

Also the structure of operators of wind farms is diversifying: While more and more utilities have started investment in wind energy, co mmunity power projects are gaining increasing importance, from Canada to Australia, from South Africa to Spain.

This is an answer to one key challenge for the further and rapid deployment of wind energy: the need for public support. We need not only higher degree of public acceptance for single wind farms, we need a broad and international social movements for the towards renewable energy, we nee an attitude whic enables citizens to take ownership of the energy supply, to replace Nimbyism by POOL, “Please on our land”.

Around the world initiatives have come up supporting various approaches of community based ownership of wind farms, be it in North America, South Africa, Europe or in Australia.

We would like to thank those who have contributed to Wind Energy International 2009/2010, to the authors, to the members of the Scientific Editorial Board, to the advertising companies, the company in charge of layout and design and the WWEA team, after all the managing editor Frank Rehmet.

We have taken into account the positive and sometimes also critical feedback on the previous editions in order to make Wind Energy International 2009/2010 even more reader-friendly. Again we look forward to your feedback!

May Wind Energy International 2009/2010 be useful for your work!

Stefan Gsänger -Secretary General - Bonn/Mai 2009

World Wind Energy Association 2009