Wind energy development in the world, Europe and Poland from 1995 to 2009; current status and future perspectives

In this article we present directions of wind energy development in the world, Europe and Poland in the years 1995–2009, current status and future perspectives of wind energy. At the end of 2009 the total capacity of wind turbines installed in the world accounted for nearly 160 GW. According to recent guidelines for the countries of the European Union production of electricity from wind will amount to 20% of energy demand by 2020. On other continents situation is similar, what makes wind energy rapidly growing sector of economy.