According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the U.S. wind energy industry shattered all previous records in 2008 by installing 8,358 MW of new generating capacity, but the group warns of an uncertain outlook for 2009 due to the continuing financial crisis.
The massive growth in 2008 swelled the nation's total wind power generating capacity by 50% and channeled an investment of some $17 billion into the economy, positioning wind power as one of the leading sources of new power generation in the country today, along with natural gas, AWEA added. At the end of 2008, however, financing for new projects and orders for turbine components slowed to a trickle, and layoffs began to hit the wind turbine manufacturing sector.
‘Our numbers are both exciting and sobering,’ says AWEA CEO Denise Bode. ‘The U.S. wind energy industry's performance in 2008 confirms that wind is an economic and job creation dynamo, ready to deliver on the president's call to double renewable energy production in three years. At the same time, it is clear that the economic and financial downturn have begun to take a serious toll on new wind development.’
The new wind projects completed in 2008 account for about 42% of the entire new power-producing capacity added nationally last year – according to initial estimates – and will avoid nearly 44 million tons of carbon emissions.
The amount that the industry brought online in the 4th quarter alone – 4,112 MW – exceeds annual additions for every year except 2007. In all, wind energy generating capacity in the U.S. now stands at 25,170 MW.
The top five states in terms of capacity installed are:
– Texas, with 7,116 MW;
– Iowa, with 2,790 MW;
– California, with 2,517 MW;
– Minnesota, with 1,752 MW; and
– Washington, with 1,375 MW
SOURCE: American Wind Energy Association
