Wind Energy Use - A Success Story
The so far young history of wind energy use has resulted in great innovation on a high level. Supported by the Renewable Energy Sources Act the production of wind electricity could be increased steadily and today it already accounts for a 6% share of net electricity consumption. Now more than 16,000 wind turbines make a substantial contribution to climate protection.
For this reason the wind energy industry has become an important jobs engine with an annual turnover of approx. 7.1bn euros, according to the German WindEnergy Association (BWE). Jobs are secured and new ones are created . According to BWE 61,000 people were employed in the German wind industry in 2004.
Today the German wind industry has an outstanding position in the world market with its sophisticated series production of wind turbines and they are market leader in prototype turbines of the 4.5 - 5 MW class. This is the reason for the industry's high share in exports with more than 50%.
An attractive research environment in this dynamically developing sector contributes to maintaining the international competitiveness of the relatively young industry.
The universities of Schleswig-Holstein want to make a valuable contribution by establishing the institution of CEwind.