AWEA Calls for a National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)
The US wind energy industry installed 1,210MW of new power generating capacity in the second quarter of this year, bringing the total added this year to just over 4,000MW, an increase from the 2,900MW added in the first six months of 2008, the American Wind Energy Association said in its second quarter market report.
While the number of completed wind farm installations was solid, AWEA said it is seeing a reduced number of orders and lower level of activity in manufacturing of wind turbines and their components, a development it termed troubling in view of the fact that the US industry was previously on track for much larger growth and the global wind power industry is continuing to expand.
‘The numbers are in, and while they show the industry has been swimming upstream, adding some 4,000MW over the past six months, the fact is that we could be delivering so much more,’ said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. ‘Our challenge now is to seize the historic opportunity before us to unleash this entrepreneurial force and build up an entire new industry here in the U.S. that will create jobs, avoid carbon, and strengthen our energy security. To achieve that, Congress and the Administration must pass a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) with strong early targets.’
During the second quarter, the US wind energy industry completed a total of 1,210MW in ten states. These new installations nudge total US wind power generating capacity to 29,440MW, according to the report.
The state posting the fastest growth in the 2nd quarter was Missouri, where wind power installations expanded by 90 per cent, according to the report.
‘Missourians know that in order for us to grow our state’s economy and create the jobs of the twenty-first century, we must embrace new technology and advances like the ones presented to us through renewable wind energy,’ said Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. ‘So I’m proud that the American Wind Energy Association’s quarterly report shows no state has capitalised on these growth opportunities more aggressively over the last three months than Missouri has. But that isn’t enough. Missouri will continue to look for ways to enhance our energy supply and independence by using common-sense and cost effective expansions of clean, renewable wind power.’
Pennsylvania and South Dakota ranked second and third in terms of growth rate in the second quarter, expanding by 28 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.
Iowa passed the 3,000MW mark with a cumulative total of 3,043MW installed and consolidated its position as second, behind Texas, with 8,361MW and ahead of California, with 2,787MW.
‘Manufacturing investment is the canary in the mine, and shows that the future of wind power in this country is very bright but still far from certain,’ said Bode. ‘The reality is that if the nation doesn’t have a firm, long-term renewable energy policy in place, large global companies and small businesses alike will hold back on their manufacturing investment decisions or invest overseas, in countries like China that are soaring ahead.
The instances where manufacturing investment is moving forward in the US are in states like Kansas that have demonstrated a commitment to renewable energy and passed a renewable electricity standard.
This type of commitment now needs to be made at the national level.’
The Rest @ Newnet
While the number of completed wind farm installations was solid, AWEA said it is seeing a reduced number of orders and lower level of activity in manufacturing of wind turbines and their components, a development it termed troubling in view of the fact that the US industry was previously on track for much larger growth and the global wind power industry is continuing to expand.
‘The numbers are in, and while they show the industry has been swimming upstream, adding some 4,000MW over the past six months, the fact is that we could be delivering so much more,’ said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. ‘Our challenge now is to seize the historic opportunity before us to unleash this entrepreneurial force and build up an entire new industry here in the U.S. that will create jobs, avoid carbon, and strengthen our energy security. To achieve that, Congress and the Administration must pass a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) with strong early targets.’
During the second quarter, the US wind energy industry completed a total of 1,210MW in ten states. These new installations nudge total US wind power generating capacity to 29,440MW, according to the report.
The state posting the fastest growth in the 2nd quarter was Missouri, where wind power installations expanded by 90 per cent, according to the report.
‘Missourians know that in order for us to grow our state’s economy and create the jobs of the twenty-first century, we must embrace new technology and advances like the ones presented to us through renewable wind energy,’ said Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. ‘So I’m proud that the American Wind Energy Association’s quarterly report shows no state has capitalised on these growth opportunities more aggressively over the last three months than Missouri has. But that isn’t enough. Missouri will continue to look for ways to enhance our energy supply and independence by using common-sense and cost effective expansions of clean, renewable wind power.’
Pennsylvania and South Dakota ranked second and third in terms of growth rate in the second quarter, expanding by 28 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.
Iowa passed the 3,000MW mark with a cumulative total of 3,043MW installed and consolidated its position as second, behind Texas, with 8,361MW and ahead of California, with 2,787MW.
‘Manufacturing investment is the canary in the mine, and shows that the future of wind power in this country is very bright but still far from certain,’ said Bode. ‘The reality is that if the nation doesn’t have a firm, long-term renewable energy policy in place, large global companies and small businesses alike will hold back on their manufacturing investment decisions or invest overseas, in countries like China that are soaring ahead.
The instances where manufacturing investment is moving forward in the US are in states like Kansas that have demonstrated a commitment to renewable energy and passed a renewable electricity standard.
This type of commitment now needs to be made at the national level.’
The Rest @ Newnet
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