The U.S. wind market is back
The recent growth in wind energy projects in the US was spurred by supportive policies in a few states, steadily improving economics, the federal wind energy Production Tax Credit and emerging green power programs. Wind farms are springing up around the US, providing clean energy as well as an economic boon to farmers and local communities. This year's headlines announced the rebirth of the US wind energy market, as wind farms were dedicated in local communities from coast to coast. At this year's exuberant pace of development, utility-scale wind energy seems well on its way to generating 5% of the nation's electricity by 2020, the target set by the Administration and announced by Energy Secretary Bill Richardson at the wind industry's annual conference earlier this year. Wind energy projects have mushroomed throughout the country, most notably in the Midwest. In the eighteen months from July 1998 to December 1999, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) estimates that wind energy companies will have added almost 900 megawatts (MW) to the nation's generating capacity. At the same time, new, more efficient turbines replaced some 200 MW of aging equipment. In all, 1,096 MW of new wind generators were installed over that period, representing an investment of well over $1.1 billion and bringing American utility-scale generating capacity to over 2,500 MW.
- Research Organization:
- American Wind Energy Association, Washington, DC (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20014681
- Journal Information:
- Solar Today, Vol. 14, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan-Feb 2000; ISSN 1042-0630
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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