The global wind energy market attained record levels of turbine shipments in 2014, according to analysis by IHS Energy.
Shipment volumes exceeded 52 GW in 2014, says the firm, some 20 per cent higher than in previous record years. The growth was driven by an uptick in key markets including China, the USA and Germany.
Vestas reinforced its position as the largest global wind turbine manufacturer, followed by Siemens in second position. Marginal shipment volumes separated Goldwind and GE Energy in third and fourth position, respectively.
"Reacting to policy changes in late 2014, developers of Chinese wind projects started a grid connection rush in order to avoid reductions in feed-in-tariff levels," said IHS Senior Analyst Magnus Dale. "This drove the 23 GW+ wave of turbine shipments to wind projects in China last year.
"Coupled with an uptick in other key wind markets including the US and Germany, the global turbine market attained record shipment levels of 52.2 GW."
Accounting for over 6.2 GW of this capacity, Danish wind turbine vendor Vestas remained the largest wind turbine vendor globally. Siemens took second place, driven by significant offshore wind activity on the European markets.
Goldwind and GE Energy followed in third and fourth position with negligible differences in turbine shipment volumes and identical global market shares. Private German player Enercon continued to benefit from strong domestic demand and occupied fifth position in terms of turbine shipments last year.
The European wind energy sector again led growth in the offshore wind segment, although in the short and medium term IHS believes that ongoing consolidation, the roll-out of new technology and a take-off of the Chinese market will shape the offshore wind market.
Sian Crampsie
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