Turbines are sprouting up around the globe in record numbers.  By the end of 2010, there were over 197,000 MW of wind installed around the world, which is more than three-times the 59,000 MW installed in 2005. The pace of growth is now greatest in China, where installed wind energy capacity grew by 75,564 MW ending 2012, leading the world largest installed capacity.

China's recent boom can be attributed to the passage of a Renewable Energy Standard in 2007 and the introduction in 2009 of requirements for grid owners to buy electricity from renewable, as well as a 20-year feed-in-tariff for wind projects. While nearly half of the world's new installed capacity in 2010 came from China, other countries are also growing their wind resources. (Source: Global Energy Council's Global Wind Report 2010).

Spain continues to be a leader in wind power, with India, France, Italy and the UK rising in the market. The recent boom in renewable energy investment, including wind energy generation, is being aided through progressive policies and widespread public support. Legislation such as the UK's Renewable Obligation, the 29 US states and 2 territories with Renewable Portfolio Standards, and the EU's target for 20% renewable energy by 2020 is aiding the development of wind energy across the globe. 

Total wind capacity in the United States reached  60,007 MW by the end of 2012, with commercial-scale wind turbines operating in 38 states. Wind power accounted for 35% of the country's new power-production capacity from 2007 to 2012, second only to natural gas. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Texas leads the country as the state with the most installed wind power with 10,135  MW. Iowa remains a leader in wind generation with 3,675 MW installed; while California and Minnesota continue to harvest significant amounts of wind with 3,179 MW and 2,432 MW respectively.