Wind energy progress and potential

Abstract This paper reviews the progress made by wind energy in the last 10 years, and discusses the potential of this technology. Some of the countries with wind energy programmes are listed together with a discussion of how widely this energy source might be used. The technology's degree of maturity is assessed and a section evaluates economic, market and institutional issues. The barriers to deployment of wind energy are assessed including environmental impact and the measures required to implement a wind energy programme are described. A final section considers social aspects.