US wind power installations double to 20,000 megawatts since 2006
04 September 2008
The US has doubled its wind energy installations capable of producing 20,000 MW of power in 2008 from 10,000 MW in 2006.
According to the the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) the US wind industry has achieved in two years what had previously taken it more than two decades.
Wind now provides 20,152 MW of electricity generating capacity in the US, producing enough electricity to serve 5.3 million American homes or power a fleet of more than 1 million plug-in hybrid vehicles.
''Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20 per cent of the US electric power supply by 2030 as envisioned by the US Department of Energy,'' said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. ''However, the looming expiration of the federal renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) less than four months from now threatens this spectacular progress.
The PTC has been a critical factor in wind's very rapid growth as a part of the nation's power portfolio.'' The PTC is currently set to expire at the end of 2008.
Swisher and other wind industry leaders noted the 20,000-MW milestone from Minneapolis, where the Republican national convention is currently being held. Joining Swisher in Minneapolis were AWEA president Jim Walker, of enXco, as well as officials from other leading companies in the wind industry, including Xcel Energy, Vestas Americas A/S, Renewable Energy Systems Americas, and Horizon Wind Power.
Xcel Energy, the host utility for both the Republican convention and the Democratic National Convention held last week in Denver, is providing sufficient wind-generated electricity from its system to power both events. A 131-foot wind turbine blade, which has been on display at both conventions, was manufactured by wind turbine maker Vestas at a US blade factory.
The 20,000 MW of wind power installed in the US today can generate as much electricity every year as 28.7 million tons of coal or 90 million barrels of oil. Wind generation currently displaces 34 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 5.8 million vehicles off the road. A US Department of Energy study released in May found that wind could provide 20 per cent of US electricity by 2030. At that level, wind power would support 500,000 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as taking 140 million vehicles off the road.
