Exports from the UK’s small-wind-energy sector showed strong growth last year, thanks to a combination of increased demand from overseas and a weakened British pound, according to the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).

The BWEA’s figures, set for release at the International Small Wind Conference on 22 April, shows export revenues doubled in 2008 compared to 2007. UK small wind-system manufacturers have exported more than 10,000 small turbines since 2005.

“The small wind sector is demonstrating that the UK can have a world leading low carbon industry,” said Alex Murley, BWEA Small Systems Manager. “UK small wind system manufacturers have consistently shown that they can compete in world markets. What we need now is action to increase deployment in the UK.”

Britain currently has more than 20 megawatts of installed small-wind system capacity. However, the BWEA estimates the UK’s full potential at 1.3 gigawatts by 2020, if the industry is given proper policy support.

“History has shown us that countries like Spain, Denmark, and Germany have vibrant large wind turbine manufacturing industries, because their respective governments supported indigenous markets at an early stage,” Murley said. “If sufficiently supported now, the emerging UK small wind industry could supply rapidly expanding world markets for decades to come, delivering UK based jobs, environmental and lucrative economic benefits.”

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