The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reports that the U.S. wind energy industry is currently on track to complete a total 4,000 MW of wind generating capacity in 2007, breaking its 2006 record of 2,454 MW.
In its third-quarter market report, AWEA also reports that the industry has added over 2,300 MW of generating capacity to the nation's electrical grid this year with a total of more than 5,000 MW in various stages of construction, establishing wind as one of the largest sources of new power in the country today.
While praising the increase in wind power, AWEA's Executive Director Randall Swisher criticizes the lack of a long-term, national policy that promotes renewable energy development. The federal production tax credit for renewable energy will expire in December 2008, and there is no national renewable portfolio standard.
‘The U.S. wind energy industry urges congressional leaders and the president to work together and bring to the finish line energy legislation that extends the production tax credit and establishes a national standard for renewable electricity,’ says Swisher.
AWEA also reports that Texas has broken the national record for wind installations by one state in a single year. The 1,185 MW completed through the first nine months of 2007 surpass 2001's 912 MW.
According to the AWEA, Texas has almost 30% of the total wind energy capacity installed in the U.S., with 3,953 MW of the nation's total 13,885 MW operating in the state.
The full AWEA report can be found at awea.org.
