Growth in Wind Power Energizes Industry
Wind power provides clean, affordable and sustainable power to the equivalent of over 10 million homes and employing 75,000 people across all states in the U.S.
American electric utilities are increasingly turning to wind energy, locking in lower-than-ever long-term fixed prices and reaping the benefits for stakeholders, customers, and their bottom line.
The U.S. wind industry, which has endured a boom-bust cycle of development over the past decade, is again expanding clean, affordable, and homegrown wind energy in America.
U.S. Industry Statistics
The fourth quarter of 2012 saw 8,385 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity installed, bringing total 2012 installations to 13,131 MW. The U.S. wind industry now totals 60,007 MW of cumulative wind capacity (and more than 45,100 turbines) through the end of December 2012. During 2012, wind energy became the number one source of new U.S. electricity generating capacity for the first time, providing some 42% of all new generating capacity.
Today, the U.S. wind industry represents not only a large market for wind power capacity installations, but also a growing market for American manufacturing. Over 550 manufacturing facilities across 44 states make components for wind turbines.
U.S. Wind Industry Facts
Total U.S. Utility-Scale Wind Power Capacity, Through 4th Quarter of 2012:
60,007 MW
U.S. Wind Power Capacity, Installed in 2011:
6,819 MW
U.S. Wind Power Capacity, Installed in 2012:
13,131 MW
U.S. Wind Power Capacity Under Construction as of 4th Quarter of 2012:
43 MW
U.S. Wind Power Capacity, Installed in Previous Years (including small-wind):
2010: 5,214 MW
2009: 10,000 MW
2008: 8,361 MW
2007: 5,249 MW
Number of States with Utility-Scale Wind Installations, 2012:
39 + Puerto Rico
Number of States with over 1,000 MW of Wind Installations, 2012: 15
U.S. Wind Resource Potential, Onshore (Source: NREL): 10,400,000 MW
U.S. Wind Resource Potential, Offshore (Source: NREL): 4,150,000 MW
Top 5 States with Wind Power Capacity Installed, through Q4 2012:
1. Texas 12,214 MW
2. California 5,544 MW
3. Iowa 5,133 MW
4. Illinois 3,568 MW
5. Oregon 3,153 MW
The most recent U.S. wind industry statistics are available through the American Wind Energy Association(AWEA) at awea.org.
Invictus Energy Solutions (IES) is a clean and renewable energy company which promotes the development of clean and sustainable energy. IES encourages viable renewable energy projects to power a cleaner, stronger and greener America.
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