Wind Energy in China: 10 Stocks You Need to Know

Sean Daly submits: "China has become the single largest driver for global wind power development. Every second wind turbine that was added anywhere in the world was installed in China." - Steve Sawyer, Secretary General, Global Wind Energy Council.

Greentech Media submits: By Herman K. Trabish Goldwind (XJNGF.PK) used to call itself the biggest wind turbine manufacturing company nobody had heard about.

In 2009 China became the world leader in wind power, and this year alone it will install 15GW.A joint study by the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, the Global Wind Energy Council, and Greenpeace has recently estimated that China’s wind power capacity could reach 300GW by 2020, and then more than 400GW by 2030.

Martin Peter Roth submits:Wind energy stocks are out of favor right now, with investors fearful that last year's slowdown in the growth rate for new US wind infrastructure is set to continue this year and next.Certainly some wind power companies have been struggling with postponed orders and a reduction in the number of new orders. Yet the fact remains that the 5,100 MW of new wind capacity that the US installed last year was a strong figure, and a bigger amount than any other country except China.

David Hunkar submits: Denmark is the one of the world leaders in producing electricity from wind. About 20% of the electricity produced in Denmark comes from wind power. Since the 1980s, the Danish government provided various incentives for the growth of this industry with the goal of reducing fossil fuel imports. As a results of these efforts, today Denmark is not only a world leader in wind power generation but also is a major exporter of wind power technology and expertise to other countries.

Chart by Curious Cat Economics Blog using data from the Wind Energy Association. 2011 data is for the capacity on June 30, 2011.

Martin Peter Roth submits: The U.S. added more new wind energy capacity in 2010 - about 5,100 MW - than any other country except China. Current forecasts are for a similar level of new infrastructure construction in 2011. Yet take a look at the stock market and you see that the U.S. wind industry is in something of a slump.

I believe it is wise from an environmental and economic viewpoint to invest in renewable energy projects. I believe the costs of fossil fuel based energy will continue to increase. Renewable energy is continuing to improve and when considering the negative externalities caused by oil, gas and coal and the continuing improvement in wind, solar and geothermal generation investment in renewable energy are going to payoff well for countries.