Will China be the world's largest wind power producer?

Global capacity to produce wind power may more than double by 2010 from last year's levels, boosted by China's efforts to expand alternative energy sources. Capacity to produce wind power may increase to 70,000 megawatts from 30,000 megawatts, Arthouros Zervos, president of the Global Wind Energy Council, said in Shanghai.

China plans to spend 1.5 trillion yuan in the 15 years ending 2020 to increase the use of renewable resources like wind, solar energy and biomass to cut the world's fourth-largest economy's reliance on coal and oil. China uses coal to generate two thirds of its electricity.

Europe currently accounts for two-thirds of global wind power capacity. "The situation will change," Zervos said. “North Africa and Asia - China in particular - will play a key role in future,” he said.

The Chinese government plans to expand the nation's wind power capacity to 30,000 megawatts from 2,300 megawatts now by 2020.

China increased its target capacity for wind-power generation to 8,000 megawatts by 2010 from 5,000 megawatts, Li Junfeng, secretary-general of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, said Jan. 13. China added 80 percent more wind-power generation capacity last year, the National Development and Reform Commission said Jan. 5.

The nation now ranks sixth in terms of wind power installed capacity. Is it just a matter of time before it produces the most wind power? Will there be a global shift towards wind-generated energy among the other alternative fuels?