U.S. Wind Industry Eyes Record Growth, Job Creation

The U.S. wind-energy industry appears set this year to shatter the previous record for installation of new projects, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). In its quarterly market outlook estimate, the trade group nudged its 2005 forecast for the expanding industry from "over 2,000 megawatts (MW)" of new capacity upward to "up to 2,500 MW," based on a private survey of wind-turbine manufacturer plans.

"We are seeing a series of positive trends, from new major players entering the industry, to strong economic activity in hard-hit rural areas, and we continue to press for a timely long-term extension of the federal wind energy production tax credit (PTC) so that this latest boom can continue," said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. "The PTC expires at the end of this year, and Congress has previously allowed it to expire three times before renewal, each time creating uncertainty about the industry's future."

According to AWEA, the new market forecast means the U.S. wind industry is within striking distance of exceeding its previous record year (2001, 1,696 MW) by 50%. AWEA’s web site includes a state-by-state catalog of existing and proposed wind-energy projects.

(Source: AWEA news release, 4/26/05)