In 2008, electrical generation by wind power increased dramatically worldwide, continuing a trend that has pushed wind generation from less than 5 GW in 1995 to nearly 92 GW in 2008. The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Wind Energy Annual Report 2008 -- announced today by the U.S. Department of Energy -- provides the latest information on wind industries in 20 IEA wind member countries, that contain 75 percent of the world's wind-powered generation capacity. According to the report, the United States added 8,558 MW of generating capacity -- a 50 percent increase -- breaking a national record, because of what the report called "favorable changes in domestic programs." U.S. wind energy capacity accounted for 42 percent of the country's new electrical generation for the year. U.S. growth in new wind-generating capacity installed in 2008 represents an investment of about $17 billion with about 85,000 people employed in the wind industry, up from 50,000 in 2007. Prospects for continued U.S. growth look good, with more than 4,000 MW of capacity under construction at the beginning of 2009, according to the report. However, the economic downturn did affect development of wind generation in some countries during the latter half of 2008. In the United States, the small wind turbine industry -- turbines rated at less than 100 kW -- grew by almost 78 percent in 2008. The industry added 17.3 MW of new capacity, bringing the total small wind capacity to more than 80 MW.