September 8, 2003—The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has reported that the United States looks likely to install up to 1,600 megawatts of new wind power in 2003. According to quarterly assessment of the wind energy market, the wind project developments that are underway could increase the cumulative total of U.S.-installed wind capacity to over 6,000 megawatts. That level would be able to serve roughly 1.5 million average homes.
According to AWEA, developers are pushing to complete projects by the end of the year in order to qualify for a production tax credit next year. The association feels a quick extension of the credit is needed to ensure that the momentum gained toward industry growth is not lost as it has been in the past when the credit expired.
A three-year extension of the credit is included in both the House and Senate versions of comprehensive energy legislation now pending in Congress. AWEA has called on energy bill conferees to support Senate-passed provisions that would establish a national Renewables Portfolio Standard requiring that 10 percent of the nation’s electricity come from renewable energy sources by 2020 and a Small Turbine Investment Credit for homeowners who install residential wind machines.
A state-by-state map of wind energy projects is available on AWEA’s Web site.
