1,100 MW of new wind capacity was installed in the first quarter of 2011, with another 5,600 MW under construction, reports the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
That’s nearly twice the amount that was under construction during this same time period in 2009 and 2010. Two-thirds of those megawatts are already locked in under long-term power purchase agreements with electric utilities.
The US now has a total installed wind base of 41,400 MW -serving 10 million homes.
AWEA says the industry is "poised for a renaissance" after having experienced several difficult years.
"Refined technologies, affordable prices, and continued demand for clean, homegrown energy," characterize the wind industry here," said Denise Bode, AWEA CEO.
"In an economy in which gas prices have hit $4 a gallon and are still on the rise, America must implement long-term energy policies centered on homegrown sources. By powering our electric cars using wind, Americans can pay the equivalent of 70 cents a gallon at the pump," she said.
The first quarter’s 1,100 MW of new capacity came online in 12 different states, with some seeing double-digit growth. U.S. states with the most capacity additions so far include: Minnesota (293 MW), Washington (252 MW), Illinois (240 MW), Idaho (119 MW), and Nebraska (81 MW).
Of the 5,600 MW currently under construction, one third is located in Oregon, Washington and California, making the West Coast a leader in wind project activity.
"States continue to lead the nation with clear, strong policies," said Elizabeth Salerno, AWEA’s chief economist. "For example, 10 years ago, California led the nation with 60 percent of U.S. wind capacity. With the recent passage of the strongest renewable target in the nation – calling for 33 percent renewables by 2020 – California is poised to retake its leadership, as it already had over 600 MW under construction in the first quarter."
California’s Independent System Operator, the state’s grid operator, announced that wind supplied 5% of total demand last week.
It gave credit to the state’s Renewable Energy Standard which requires the state to source 33% of energy from renewables by 2020.
The state hit a milestone for wind output, reaching a record level of 2,432 MW exceeding 1,915 MW in 2010 – also a record. California has about 7,300 MW of renewables online.
After wind, geothermal is the primary source of renewable energy in California, followed by small hydro, biomass, solar, and biogas.
20,000 wind industry leaders are expected to attend Windpower 2011 Conference & Exhibition, May 22-25. See details:
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