Next100 - A Dialogue on the Next Century of Energy

Sep 03 2008

U.S. Leads Globe In Wind Power Generation

The U.S. is now the world leader in wind electricity generation with installed capacity of more than 20,000 megawatts, enough power to serve 5.3 million American homes, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today. The new capacity doubles the 10,000-MW mark reached in 2006.

U.S. capacity of 20,152 MW trails Germany's installed capacity of about 23,000 MW, but AWEA says the U.S. produces more electricity because of stronger winds. AWEA expects more than 7,500 MW of new wind capacity to be added in 2008, expanding the nation's wind power fleet by 45 percent and boosting total capacity to some 24,300 MW.

"Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20 percent of the U.S. electric power supply by 2030," said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. But the likely expiration of the federal renewable production tax credit "threatens this spectacular progress," he said. The PTC is currently set to expire at the end of this year.

Swisher and other wind industry leaders hailed the 20,000 MW milestone in Minneapolis, where the Republican National Convention is underway. Xcel Energy, which is headquartered in Minneapolis, is the host utility for both the Republican convention and the Democratic National Convention held last week in Denver. Xcel is providing wind power from its system to power both events.

AWEA noted that although 20,000 MW is an important milestone, wind power provides just more than 1.5 percent of the nation's electricity, far below the potential identified by energy experts. The 20,000-plus MW can generate as much power as 28.7 million tons of coal or 90 million barrel of oil and displace 34 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 5.8 million vehicles off the road.

Posted by: Leonard Anderson | Comments (0) Permalink