Wind Energy Installations Up in 2011, AWEA Reports
01/24/2011
"Wind power is a great deal right now in many areas of the country," said Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). "However, our industry continues to endure a boom-bust cycle because of the lack of long-term, predictable federal policies, in contrast to the permanent entitlements that fossil fuels have enjoyed for 90 years or more. Now that we're competing with natural gas on cost, we need consistent federal policies to ensure we have a diverse portfolio of energy sources in this country and don't become over-reliant on one source or another."
The cost of wind energy has dropped over the past two years, making it competitive with natural gas. That factor, along with the renewal of the Section 1603 Investment Tax Credit, has helped boost current wind installations to 5,600 megawatts so far this year. Wind installations in 2011 will likely outnumber 2010 volumes.
"With uncertainty around natural gas and power prices as the economy recovers, wind's long-term price stability is even more valued. We expect that utilities will move to lock in more wind contracts, given the cost-competitive nature of wind in today's market," said Elizabeth Salerno, AWEA Director of Industry Data and Analysis.
Total U.S. wind capacity is currently 40,180 megawatts, a 15 percent increase from the beginning of 2010.
Project Announcements
PEAK Precision Manufacturing Plans Bowling Green, Kentucky, Operations
07/26/2024
Italy-Based Sipcam Agro USA Upgrades Wayne County, Mississippi, Operations
07/26/2024
Cleveland-Cliffs Plans Weirton, West Virginia, Operations
07/26/2024
IDEXX Laboratories Plans Wilson, North Carolina, Production Operations
07/26/2024
Germany-Based Ritz Instrument Transformers Plans Waynesboro, Georgia, Operations
07/26/2024
AirJoule Plans Newark-Wilmington, Delaware, Operations
07/26/2024
Most Read
-
19th Annual Area Development Gold and Silver Shovel Awards
Q2 2024
-
2023's Leading Metro Locations: Hotspots of Economic Growth
Q4 2023
-
2023 Top States for Doing Business Meet the Needs of Site Selectors
Q3 2023
-
The CHIPS and Science Act will bring jobs back to the United States
Q2 2024
-
2023 Top States Commentary: Top-Ranked States Have What It Takes to Win Mega Projects
Q3 2023
-
The Bring Your Own Energy (BYOE) Party Is Starting
Q2 2024
-
Midwest becomes hotspot for semiconductor manufacturing and supply industries
Q2 2024