The U.S. wind energy industry has continued new installations in the first quarter of this year, installing 1,400 MW or approximately $3 billion worth of new wind generating capacity, according to a quarterly market report released by the Washington, D.C.-based American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
‘While 2008 is shaping up to be another great year, we could see a very different story in 2009 as uncertainty looms over investment in wind power projects and manufacturing due to continuing delay in extending the production tax credit (PTC),’ says Randall Swisher, AWEA executive director.
The new wind power facilities installed this quarter span 10 states and bring total U.S. wind power capacity to over 18,000 MW. Texas added over half of this new capacity and now has well over 5,000 MW installed. Over 4,000 MW of projects are now also under construction nationwide.
Additionally, AWEA reports an increase in the share of U.S.-made wind turbine components, from less than 30% to approximately 50% in three years. AWEA estimates that, by the end of the year, approximately half of turbine components for wind turbines installed in the U.S. will be produced domestically.
SOURCE: American Wind Energy Association
