J Matthew Roney, Research Associate, graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2006 with a BS in Environmental Conservation, summa cum laude. Matt has been with Earth Policy Institute since 2007, working closely with the research team on many publications and scanning internet resources for relevant news clips and scientific studies. In 2012, Matt completed a master’s degree in environmental sciences and policy from Johns Hopkins University.
After record 2012, world wind power set to top 300,000 megawatts in 2013.
by J Matthew Roney
Even amid policy uncertainty in major wind power markets, wind developers still managed to set a new record for installations in 2012, with 44,000 megawatts of new wind capacity worldwide. With total capacity exceeding 280,000 megawatts, wind farms generate carbon-free electricity in more than 80 countries, 24 of which have at least 1,000 megawatts. At the European level of consumption, the world’s operating wind turbines could satisfy the residential electricity needs of 450 million people.