February 22, 2006—The US 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 (approx. 1,650 wind turbines) in 22 states, according to the Washington, DC-based American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
The final tally of 2,431 MW boosted the cumulative US 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. These facilities, 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 annually.
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.
Instead of the slow year that has previously followed boom years for the industry, 2006 is expected to be even bigger, with installations topping 3,000 MW. Since Congress extended the wind energy production credit before it expired for the first time in the credit’s history, AWEA expects several record-breaking years in a row, with companies able to plan for growth.
A state-by-state listing of existing and proposed wind energy projects, as well as the full list of projects installed in 2005, are available from AWEA.
