Wind industry expects to see slower growth this year in U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC, US, January 31, 2007 (Refocus Weekly) The U.S. wind energy industry expects to grow by 26% this year, down from a 27% increase in 2006.

The industry installed 2,454 MW of new turbines last year, representing an investment of US$4 billion, according to a market forecast from the American Wind Energy Association. Second only to natural gas, wind was the largest source of new power generation for the second year in a row and new windfarms boosted cumulative U.S. installed wind capacity to 11,603 MW, with the 10,000 MW milestone reached in August.

Wind turbines in the U.S. will generate 31 billion kWh of power each year, sufficient to serve 2.9 million homes. The green power will displace 23 Mt of carbon dioxide which would be emitted by coal, natural gas, oil and traditional energy sources.

While wind capacity increased by 27% last year, it is forecast to increase an additional 26% this year, proving that wind is a mainstream option for new power generation, explains AWEA. The U.S. Congress recently extended the federal production tax credit until December 2008 and, based on the success of the PTC to date, AWEA is calling for an extension for an additional five years.

“iPods, flat screen televisions and other highly sought technologies are creating a demand for electricity that is beginning to eclipse our current supply,” says Randall Swisher of AWEA. “Wind is a proven, cost-effective source of energy that also alleviates global warming and enhances our nation’s energy security.”

“The industry has demonstrated a generous return on the investment of both private and public investment in wind,” he adds. “Extending the PTC five years will significantly increase the progress America is making in expanding its use of new forms of energy when they’ve never been needed more.”

Texas accounted for one third of turbines installed last year, taking the lead from California in cumulative installed capacity, the report notes. Texas hosts the world’s single largest operating windfarm, the 735 MW Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Nolan and Taylor counties.

New turbine manufacturing facilities opened last year in Iowa, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, and utility-scale turbines were installed in 20 states. The top five states in new installations were Texas (774 MW), Washington (428 MW), California (212 MW), New York (185 MW) and Minnesota (150 MW).

AWEA was formed in 1974 to promote the U.S. wind energy industry. It gathers data for its analysis each January by contacting windfarm developers and turbine manufacturers around the country.


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