US wind energy installations up 31pc in 2011
27.01.2012
The US wind energy sector installed 6,810MW in 2011, a 31pc increase on 2010, according to new figures from the American Wind Energy Association.
The AWEA said more than 8,300MW are currently under construction, setting the stage for a strong 2012.
California topped the list for megawatts installed in 2011 with 921, while Illinois came in second with 692MW. Texas, Iowa and California remain the top three states, respectively, for wind power in the United States. Illinois has taken fourth spot from Minnesota, which is now fifth.
The AWEA’s figures reveal that Ohio was the fastest growing wind power state in 2011 with 101 MW installed, leading to a more than 900pc growth rate. Meanwhile, South Dakota joined Iowa as the states receiving the highest percentage of their electricity from wind with 20pc.
In 2011, 30 states brought wind projects online in 2011 and construction is ongoing for 2012 projects in 31 states including the first wind projects in Nevada and Connecticut.
“This shows what wind power is capable of: building new projects, powering local economies and creating jobs,” said Denise Bode, CEO of the AWEA. “Traditional tax incentives are working. This tremendous activity is being driven by the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) – which leveraged an average of more than US$16bn a year in private investment over the last several years and supported tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs.
“In hard economic times we’re creating jobs and delivering clean, affordable electricity,” she said. “But we will lose all these consumer benefits and a brand new, growing manufacturing sector if Congress allows the Production Tax Credit to expire. Businesses need certainty. That is why it is urgent that Congress extend the PTC now, before the end of the first quarter, or risk losing a bright new manufacturing sector to foreign countries.”
A recent report by Navigant Consulting indicated that half the jobs in the wind industry could be lost if tax incentive ended.