magazine for business and investment - Innovatives Niedersachsen
magazine for business and investment - Innovatives Niedersachsen
magazine for business and investment - Innovatives Niedersachsen
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Wind Technology<br />
24 <strong>Niedersachsen</strong> Global<br />
Image: “DEWI-Testfeld in Wilhelmshaven, © DEWI GmbH 2012”<br />
1. China 2. USA 3. Germany<br />
The Big Three<br />
In 2011 China was the worldwide leader with a total installed output of<br />
62,733 megawatt, followed by the USA with 46,919 megawatt <strong>and</strong> Germany<br />
in third place with 29,060 megawatt. (Source: BWE 2011)<br />
Image: Enercon GmbH<br />
by Juliette Rahn<br />
Wind power is one of the oldest <strong>for</strong>ms of energy used by human beings. Way back in 644<br />
the Persians recognised the inexhaustible potential of wind <strong>and</strong> built the first wind mills<br />
to mill flour. Many centuries later, in an era of scarce raw materials <strong>and</strong> increasing energy<br />
prices, wind power has come out of the shadows <strong>and</strong> is celebrating a great comeback as<br />
the most cost-effective <strong>for</strong>m of power generation from renewable energy sources. Modern<br />
wind power usage has started its triumphal worldwide advance <strong>and</strong> has developed into<br />
a competitive sector in many continents. In the Federal Republic of Germany wind power<br />
is already a cornerstone of the country‘s energy provision. So who are the big players in<br />
this wind boom? A journey through the German wind power industry leads <strong>Niedersachsen</strong><br />
Global to the rough North German sea.<br />
After China <strong>and</strong> the USA, Germany is one of the three global players in the wind<br />
energy sector. Manufacturers from across the world purchase wind power components <strong>and</strong><br />
systems “Made in Germany”. Enercon, Siemens <strong>and</strong> Nordex all supply the global markets<br />
as large German wind energy companies. 66 percent of all wind energy plants produced<br />
in Germany were exported in 2011, mainly to the sales markets in Europe, North America<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Far East. This is cutting-edge technology which largely comes from <strong>Niedersachsen</strong>.<br />
Enercon alone as the largest German wind energy company based in <strong>Niedersachsen</strong> is, with<br />
almost 60 percent market share, the leading supplier of wind energy plants to the German<br />
market. And the company from Aurich, based on its own data, has now also gained the