China tops US in wind energy capacity

China has surpassed the US to become the world leader in wind energy capacity, the Financial Times reported. According to the American Wind Energy Association, China now has 41,800 megawatts in operation, an increase of 62% in capacity from a year ago. Meanwhile, US wind capacity stands at 40,180 megawatts, a rise in capacity of 15% over the start of 2010. However, in terms of wind installations, the US hit 5,115 megawatts of wind power – dropping to barely half of 2009’s record pace. The standstill in US wind installations was largely due to uncertainties in the industry about long-term federal policies on renewable energy grants.