Very strong growth in the market for wind energy

The market for wind energy is doubling every 4 years. This is clear from a report by the Global Wind Energy Council. In 2006 alone the capacity of the wind farm were increased by 32% globally in a market of $ 24 billion. If the European market is still dominant with 65% of the world, the USA, topped with regard to the installation of new Megawatts. But with a growth rate of 53% or so for 2006, Asia, led by Chinese growth, is clearly intended to take over in the race for wind energy. Consequences? A bottleneck at the supply level, and concentration in the industry against a backdrop of intense rivalry competitive.

With a market growth of 30% over ten years, the energy placed on this lucrative niche. The last case emblematic of this was overheating failed takeover of Areva in the German wind turbine manufacturer REpower. After four months of battle against its competitor Indian Suzlon Energy, Areva has finally renounced take control of the manufacturer. It must be said that meanwhile, the action of REpower had steadily climbing with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange to reach 168 euros on May 23, the eve of the closing of the tender period. But with REpower, the french group has probably lost his last chance. While some companies, like Vestas, in theory remain opéables, they are very expensive. "Our market capitalization reached 10 billion euros," says Ditlev Engel, CEO of Vestas world number one in the wind.

Other players, such as German Nordex set up a joint venture to enter the Chinese market (Helanshan wind farm).

Other companies, such as Total or EDF are betting on the sector. The latter through its subsidiary New Energy has decided to invest 3 billion euros by 2010 in the wind. An investment equivalent to that of the construction of the nuclear power plant next EPR. "It's a very strong symbol" according to the EDF's CEO Pierre Gadonneix.