Electricity Feed Laws Power European Renewables

摘要

North American companies will install nearly $1.6 billion in new wind projects this year―the lion's share in the U.S. Cause for celebration? Certainly. But before the bragging begins, Americans should note that Germany installed twice that much capacity last year. The reason? Germany's Electricity Feed Law. Nearly 90 percent of new wind capacity installed worldwide in 2002 was added in Europe, with the giant German market accounting for more than half of the expansion. Spain accounted for one-fourth. Germany, Spain and tiny Denmark all ranked ahead of the U.S. in new installations. Spain roared past the U.S.'s 400 megawatts (MW) in 2002 with almost 1500 MW of new capacity.