U.S. Wind Power Capacity Surged 45% In 2007

Jan 23, 2008 4:32 PM

The U.S. wind energy industry installed 5,244 MW in 2007, expanding the nation’s total wind power generating capacity by 45% in a single calendar year, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). This expansion in installed capacity injected over $9 billion into the economy says the AWEA. The association also notes that the new wind projects account for about 30% of the entire new power-producing capacity added nationally in 2007 and will power the equivalent of 1.5 million American households.

“This is the third consecutive year of record-setting growth, establishing wind power as one of the largest sources of new electricity supply for the country,” said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. “This remarkable and accelerating growth is driven by strong demand, favorable economics, and a period of welcome relief from the on-again, off-again, boom-and-bust, cycle of the federal production tax credit (PTC) for wind power.”

“But the PTC and tax incentives for other renewable energy sources are now in danger of lapsing at the end of this year——and at the worst moment for the U.S economy,” added Swisher. “The U.S. wind industry calls on Congress and the President to quickly extend the PTC—the only existing U.S. incentive for wind power—in order to sustain this remarkable growth along with the manufacturing jobs, fresh economic opportunities, and reduction of global warming pollution that it provides.”