The Future of Wind Power: Perspectives on Global Wind
A lack of policy leadership is still the most important single factor holding back the development of the wind industry in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, according to a recent survey of more than 1000 readers of Renewable Energy World magazine from throughout (greater) Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The group also identified the current high prices for conventional electric power and gas as key drivers behind the growth in wind power.
Poor policy leadership was cited by respondents as the single largest barrier faced by the wind industry – despite the fact that many of those replying came from EU countries which are subject to renewables targets. Both EU member countries and those replying from nations with no similar renewable energy targets, such as Algeria and Libya, believe that national governments are doing too little to encourage the development of wind power, suggesting that even where targets have been set they are viewed as inadequate by renewable energy experts. Some 63% of the respondents are directly involved in the wind sector. Of that group, over a quarter are project developers, while others work with utilities, own or operate wind farms, or are involved in turbine manufacture or R&D. Almost 95% of respondents agree that European Union renewable energy targets are helping drive forward the wind industry overall, whilst a similar number agree that a national renewable energy policy is an important factor in the growth of the wind industry in their own country.Slightly more than half of those polled agree or strongly agree that a current threat to the development of wind is the promise of carbon-free nuclear power (whether or not respondents agree this promise is well founded). However, almost half disagree, believing wind power does not face a threat from nuclear, either because the two technologies are established and independent, or that wind power has inherent advantages.
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