American wind power gained momentum in the third quarter of 2016. Over 20GW of wind power capacity are now under construction or in advanced development, according to the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) U.S. Wind Industry Third Quarter 2016 Market Report.
The wind industry installed 895MW during the third quarter of 2016, bringing year-to-date installations to 1,725MW. Wind projects came online in seven states during the third quarter: Texas, Minnesota, Maine, Rhode Island, Oregon, Massachusetts and Utah. Project developers signed 729MW of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) during the third quarter. Non-utility purchasers of wind energy represent 33 per cent of total project capacity contracted for the year. Combined utilities and non-utilities have signed PPAs totaling 3,193MW so far this year, a 39 per cent increase in activity compared to the same time period last year.