Global wind power capacity increased by 38,343 megawatts to a total of 158,505 megawatts in 2009. Despite a widespread economic recession, new wind power capacity grew more than 31 percent in cumulative installations, the highest rate in the last eight years. China passed the United States to become the world’s largest wind turbine market. Worldwide, wind power contributed 340 trillion kilowatt-hours, or 2 percent, to global electricity consumption.

Read: Wind Power Growth Continues to Break Records Despite Recession by Saya Kitasei

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