01/26/2006
Source: LOHAS Weekly Newsletter
Author: CleanEdge.com
The U.S. wind energy industry easily broke earlier annual installed
capacity records in 2005, installing nearly 2,500 megawatts (MW) or over $3
billion worth of new generating equipment in 22 states, according to the
Washington, D.C.-based American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). 2006 is
expected to be even bigger, with installations topping 3,000 MW.
The final tally of 2,431 MW boosted the cumulative U.S. installed wind
power fleet by over 35%, bringing the industry's total generating capacity
to 9,149 MW. The previous record capacity figure was set in 2001 when 1,697
MW of new capacity was installed. There are now commercial wind turbine
installations in 30 states. The figure was just shy of an expected 2,500 MW
because several projects were subject to weather-related delays.
Wind energy facilities now installed in the U.S., AWEA said, will produce
as much electricity annually as 2.3 million average American households use,
and will displace emissions of more than 15 million tons of carbon dioxide
(the leading greenhouse gas) annually.
"Thanks to Congress’s extending the wind energy production credit before
it expired for the first time in the credit’s history, the wind industry is
looking forward to several record-breaking years in a row,” said AWEA
Executive Director Randall Swisher. “Companies can now plan for growth,
create jobs, and provide more clean power to customers nationwide. We are
finally beginning to tap into wind energy's enormous potential."
The growth in wind power construction comes at a time when customers
across the country are facing electricity and natural gas rate hikes due to
the natural gas supply shortage, with 2005-2006 winter gas prices peaking as
high as $15/thousand cubic foot (mcf). Monthly average prices range from
$6-13/mcf, compared to last year’s monthly average prices of $5-7/mcf. Wind
power, which generates energy without using fuel, provides a hedge against
rising energy costs because wind energy production is immune from fuel price
spikes. AWEA estimates that an installed capacity of 9,149 MW of wind power
will save over half a billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (Bcf/day) in
2006, alleviating a portion of the supply pressure that is now facing the
natural gas industry and is driving prices upward. The U.S. currently burns
about 13 Bcf/day for electricity generation, which means during 2006, wind
power will be reducing natural gas use for power generation by approximately
5%.
Other highlights include:
California is still the state with the most wind power installed, with
2,150 MW, but Texas is gaining fast with 1,995 MW installed and more
proposed for 2006. Iowa remains in third place with 836 MW installed.
Minnesota is in fourth with 744 MW, and Oklahoma moves into fifth place with
475 MW.
GE Energy turbines accounted for nearly 60% of the new capacity in 2005.
Vestas turbines accounted for nearly 30%. Mitsubishi was the third largest
wind turbine supplier to the U.S. market, supplying about 8% of the new
capacity. Suzlon and Gamesa round out the top five.
FPL Energy was the project developer responsible for adding the most new
wind power capacity, with over 500 MW of new capacity added to its fleet.
PPM Energy was in second place, adding 394 MW. Horizon Wind Energy added 220
MW; Invenergy added 200 MW; and enXco added 150 MW.
The wind farms completed in 2005, AWEA said, will generate approximately
$5 million in payments to landowners annually and create skilled, long-term
jobs in areas where such employment is scarce, as well as short-term
construction jobs and associated economic activity.
A state-by-state listing of existing and proposed wind energy projects is available on AWEA's Web site at http://www.awea.org/projects/index.html . The full list of projects installed in 2005 is available on the AWEA newsroom site at http://www.awea.org/newsroom/2005_projects.pdf .
For the complete article on CleanEdge.com click here.
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