The US wind energy industry has experienced its slowest quarter since 2007 and seeks swift action to strengthen policies that unleashed a wave of private investment in 2008 and 2009. The US industry added just 395MW of wind-powered electric generating capacity in the third quarter of 2010.
Year-to-date installations stood at 1,634MW, down 72 per cent versus 2009, and the lowest level since 2006. In 2010, wind projects in the US are being installed at half the rate as in Europe, and a third of the rate as in China. Factors include lack of long-term US energy policies, such as a Renewable Electricity Standard, and resulting lack of certainty for business, which has the country’s utilities failing to move forward with wind build-out plans. The industry calls on Congress to match such efforts to establish long-term policy.
Year-to-date installations stood at 1,634MW, down 72 per cent versus 2009, and the lowest level since 2006. In 2010, wind projects in the US are being installed at half the rate as in Europe, and a third of the rate as in China. Factors include lack of long-term US energy policies, such as a Renewable Electricity Standard, and resulting lack of certainty for business, which has the country’s utilities failing to move forward with wind build-out plans. The industry calls on Congress to match such efforts to establish long-term policy.