By 1800, there were an estimated 500,000 windmills in Europe and China. Wind power also played an important role in settling the Great Plains. In 1930 more than 600,000 windmills were at work in the U.S., pumping water and producing electricity. I've read that wind power is the world's fastest-growing energy resource. Worldwide over 13,000 MW of wind power are installed, and that is expected to increase to 21,000 MW by 2003.
Wind power is especially popular in Europe.
England, Spain, China, India and the US are also important markets. At some sites, particularly Altamont Pass in California, wind turbines have caused a regrettable increase in deaths of birds, including hawks and eagles. But today's newer wind farms are sited to avoid such conflicts. For example, the National Audubon Society approved the location selected for the Ponnequin wind farm in northeastern Colorado. Wind turbine manufacturers are also using new rotor and tower designs to minimize bird mortality.