After years of strong growth, the U.S. wind energy market is bracing itself for a precipitous drop in annual turbine installations, according to MAKE Consulting, which is downgrading its 2010-2015 forecast by 23%. The downgrade is a reflection of adverse macroeconomic conditions and an unfavorable policy environment, according to the independent advisory firm.
The slow recovery of the U.S. economy, coupled with continued weakness in natural-gas prices, has provided a headwind for U.S. wind turbine sales. In addition, efforts on the part of the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition to revive federal renewable electricity standard legislation to stimulate demand are unlikely to yield policy measures that drive wind adoption in excess of existing state renewable portfolio standard mandates, according to MAKE Consulting.
SOURCE: MAKE Consulting
