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Wind energy beats all records!

“Wind is the fastest growing manufacturing sector in the country."

Denise Bode,
CEO, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)

 

After a long period of stagnation, the US wind energy market began a heavy growth spurt in the late 90s and has become one of the most rapidly developing wind markets worldwide.  In 2010 more than 5,000 MW of new wind energy capacity were installed, which ranks the US second after China with a total installed capacity of over 40,000 MW.

According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) in 2011 at least another 5,600 MW are expected to be added to the grid, meaning that the 2010 numbers will most likely be exceeded.  All signs suggest that the US will continue to maintain its leading position in the coming years.  In line with a study published by the Department of Energy (DoE), 20% of the US electricity demand is to be generated from wind energy by 2030.  This goal will require a double-digit growth for the next 20 years.  According to the AWEA a capacity increase of 250,000 MW over 20 years is required to reach this goal, however, the wind industry has made the necessary preparations to accomplish this objective.

The ever increasing number of manufacturing plants shows that the US wind industry is gearing up to reach the above-mentioned capacity increases.  According to the AWEA, the wind energy market is the fastest growing manufacturing sector in the US.  Since 2006 over 400 wind energy manufacturing plants have been built or expanded.  Due to these new production facilities or expansions of existing ones, 25% fewer components are imported today in comparison to 2005.

Politically the wind energy industry has also received much support.  In his State of the Union Address in January of this year, President Barack Obama again stated the importance of investments in sustainable economic sectors, such as wind energy and other renewable energies.  The foundation for this was already laid as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in early 2009.

 

Sources: www.awea.org, www.eere.energy.gov