Wind power could provide 18% of global electricity demand by 2050

That’s compared to just 3% today.

The International Energy Agency believes that 15% to 18% of global electricity can be met by wind energy by 2050. It said that global wind power capacity now operating in 100 countries can provide over 3% of the world’s electricity demand. In 2012, the world added a record 44.8 GW of wind power, bringing the total to more than 282.5 GW.

IEA said governments and industries support wind power because it increases domestic energy supplies, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and replaces coal-fired and nuclear generation.

It noted record increases in capacity last year in Australia, Austria, Finland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Wind energy development creates employment and economic activity, IEA said.

A study in Australia estimated that a 50 MW wind farm could contribute up to 2.6% to the gross regional product. A Canadian study estimated that 1 GW of new wind energy creates 10,500 person-years of employment.