The fourth quarter 2014 wind energy industry report released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) shows the U.S. industry’s rebound in 2014, with over four times more new wind energy coming online than in 2013.
2014 saw the completion of 4,850MW in generating capacity, with cumulative installed capacity increasing eight per cent to a total of 65,875MW. However, the amount installed in 2014 still falls far short of the record 13,000MW that the US wind energy industry was able to complete during 2012. Industry leaders blamed uncertainty over federal policy. The renewable energy Production Tax Credit was only extended for two weeks at the end of last year, and has now expired again. Highlights from the US Wind Industry Fourth Quarter 2014 Market Report include:
- Wind projects were completed in 19 states in 2014
- Similar to the start of 2014, the industry continues to see near-record levels of under construction activity, with over 12,700MW of wind under construction as 2015 began
- Utilities continue to sign some of the lowest cost long-term contracts ever seen for wind energy. Since the beginning of 2014, there have been more than 3,300MW of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for wind power signed across 14 states. In total, over 12,000MW of long-term contracts for wind power have been signed since the start of 2013
- In 2014, major US companies continued a rising trend of purchasing wind energy, including Google, Microsoft, Walmart, Yahoo! and Amazon
- Wind installations in Texas led the way in 2014 with over 1,800MW of new capacity. Rounding out the top five states adding new capacity in 2014 are Oklahoma, Iowa, Washington and Colorado