Windpower adds 9,143 MW to U.S. Grid

Washington D.C.: The U.S. wind industry experienced its third strongest year on record in 2019, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) revealed in January as project developers added 9,143 megawatts of wind power capacity to the grid. On the heels of that activity, another 44,000 MW of wind projects – representing over US$62 billion in investment – are either under construction or in advanced development.

          Utilities and businesses also set a new record in 2019, announcing 8,726 MW in new Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). In addition, East Coast states continue to drive demand for offshore wind energy with 16 GW in new offshore wind targets pledged in 2019—more than doubling previous state targets. These findings and the latest industry data are highlighted in the newly released U.S. Wind Industry Fourth Quarter 2019 Market Report by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

          “The demand and growth of U.S. wind energy can’t be understated,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan. “Today, there are nearly 60,000 wind turbines spinning across 41 states powering the equivalent of over 32 million American homes. Demand for wind energy is greater than ever as evidenced by corporations and utilities signing contracts in record numbers. Nearly 200 projects are underway in 33 states from the wind belt in America’s heartland to the booming offshore wind market, where visionary leaders are leveraging the affordable, clean energy that wind provides.”

          The fourth quarter of 2019 saw significant growth as developers installed 35 new wind projects totaling 5,476 MW in 16 states. Texas led installations for the quarter with 1,808 MW, followed by Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Illinois. In total, the industry commissioned 9,143 MW of wind power capacity in 2019. There are now 105,583 MW of operating wind capacity in the United States, with more than 56,800 wind turbines operating across 41 states. Texas and Iowa set individual records for annual wind power additions, with Texas adding nearly 4 GW of new wind projects and Iowa adding 1.7 GW.

          Windpower in the United States has also now surpassed energy from hydro power for the first time, according to a report by the US Energy Information Administration. See “Wind energy surpasses hydro in US,” elsewhere this issue.