The U.S. wind energy industry is on track to add well over 3,000 MW to the nation's power generating capacity this year, thereby topping last year's record of 2,454 MW, according to the second-quarter market report released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
An additional 935 MW completed during the second quarter brought the total installed during the first half of the year to 1,059 MW. With 603 MW added this year, Texas now has over 3,000 MW installed, strengthening its position as the state with the most wind power capacity, AWEA says. Texas is followed by California (2,376 MW), Iowa (967 MW), Minnesota (897 MW) and Washington (818 MW).
Wind turbine supply shortages and government policy that does not fully support investment in turbine manufacturing facilities, however, have been limiting factors for growth, the association notes, adding that the implementation of a national renewable energy portfolio standard may mitigate these constraints.
