magazine for business and investment - Innovatives Niedersachsen

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