With energy at premium, wind-power industry expects record growth in 2001. Completed in December, Middelgrunden is the world's largest offshore wind farm, dominating the views from Copenhagen's docks and seaside parks. With blades 100-feet long, its wind machines generate enough power to supply 32,000 households. A traditional Dutch windmill holds ground as its high-tech descendants sprout around it in the port city of Eemshaven.
Wind power is the world's fastest-growing energy source.
It's a fitting introduction to Denmark, a nation of 5 million that has emerged as the undisputed leader in wind energy. With natural-gas prices rising and our costs falling, wind is now competitive in many parts of the world. Given the economics and environmental benefits, there's no question that wind is going to be a big participant in the power markets of the 21st century. Throughout the 1990s, Europe has dominated the worldwide wind market, accounting for the lion's share of demand and wind-turbine exports. Germany has 6,113 megawatts worth of wind turbines, which meet 2.5 percent of the country's total electricity demand.