China’s wind-power industry started in the late 1980s, but scaling began in 2003. This represents a late start on fast growth compared to growth patterns seen in Western countries. But with the explosion of installed capacity, China now leads the world’s wind-power industry and is pioneering wind-energy development.
During 2003-10, China’s cumulative installed capacity for wind power grew from 1.4 percent to 22.7 percent of the world total, and the compound average growth rate (CAGR) of the country’s installed capacity reached 87 percent. In 2010, China’s installed capacity rose by 18,928 MW, accounting for 49 percent of the world’s total and enabling China to outpace the US.
By 2010, China’s cumulative installed capacity had doubled for four consecutive years, a year-on-year growth of 73 percent to reach 44,733 MW. By contrast, the US had a capacity increment of only 5 million KW in 2010, owing to climate legislation that affected investor confidence in the renewable-energy industry. Meanwhile, China transcended the US and ranked first in the world–for the first time—in cumulative installed capacity.