CNBC
The wind industry added over 52 gigawatts (GW) of wind power last year, according to a report from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
While that figure represents a decrease compared to 2016, when 54.6 GW was installed, the GWEC said it expected the annual market to return to growth in 2019 and 2020.
China maintained its position as a wind energy powerhouse, installing 19.7 GW, while the European Union added 15.6 GW of capacity, its best ever year. The U.S. installed a little over 7 GW of capacity.
Steve Sawyer, the secretary general of the GWEC, said in a statement Wednesday that wind power was "leading the charge in the transition away from fossil fuels."
"Both onshore and offshore, wind power is key to defining a sustainable energy future," Sawyer added.
