US wind markets face a growth-constrained 2010

According to a new market study, US Wind Power Markets and Strategies 2010–2025, from IHS Emerging Energy Research, the US wind market finds itself confronting a growth-constrained 2010 following a record-breaking year of capacity additions in 2009 (with 9.8GW installed). The study also notes that the near-term market landscape is wrought with increased competition. However, with the proliferation of favourable state and federal policies, the US wind industry is on track to add more than 165GW of new capacity through 2025, resulting in a total installed base of 200GW, according to the study’s projections. The study forecasts that anywhere from 6.3 to 7.1GW could be installed in 2010, 40–60% lower than 2009 installations. The year 2010 marks the first time since 2004 that the US wind industry will not surpass the previous year’s growth level. The US wind industry will represent US$ 330 billion in investments between 2010 and 2025, with more than 90% stemming from onshore wind, according to the study’s projections. The Midwest, Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states will act as major wind export hubs to areas with large appetites for renewables, including California, the Mid-Atlantic and the South. While the USA is closer than ever to tapping into its enormous offshore potential, with the expected completion of the Cape Wind project in 2013, offshore is still only expected to account for 5% of total US wind build in 2025.