by AF 0603 i3 — June 7, 2010—The U.S. wind power industry had its slowest first quarter since 2007 this year, installing only 539 megawatts (MW) of wind power, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). While the industry installed more than 10,000 MW in 2009, the project pipeline has slowed over the past 18 months, a situation that AWEA attributes to a lack of long-term market signals, low power demand, and low prices for power.
The industry association notes that the amount of wind power installed in each quarter over the past three years has varied dramatically, falling near 100 MW in the slowest times and rising to more than 4,000 MW in the most active quarters. Illinois led the first-quarter growth with the 300-MW Streator Cayuga Ridge South Wind Power Project, and the state has two more large wind plants under construction. Also noteworthy is the 12.5-MW wind plant erected near Greensburg, Kansas, which is building green as it recovers from a devastating tornado that struck the town in 2007.
The first-quarter trend may continue through the rest of the year, according to a new report from IHS Emerging Energy Research. The study finds that the U.S. wind industry is growth-constrained in 2010 and will face increased competition, holding growth to about 6,300 MW to 7,100 MW. In the long term, however, the IHS report projects 165 gigawatts (GW) of new U.S. wind power capacity through 2025, which would average out to about 11,000 MW per year.
For more information, see the AWEA Web site.
