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Wind drops in US

The second quarter of this year has seen a massive 71% drop in wind installations in the US compared with last year, according to the latest figures from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Installations in the first half of 2010 reached only 1239 MW and, even with over 5500 MW in construction, the AWEA predicts that new wind installations will be 25-45% down on 2009.

After 2010, the situation gets even worse with a dramatic drop in the development pipeline.

The AWEA says that a lack of a long-term national renewable energy requirement is to blame, but lower demand and falling natural gas prices thanks to the recession are not helping.

“Strong federal policy supporting the US wind energy industry has never been more important,” says AWEA CEO Denise Bode.

Together with a broad coalition of renewable energy, utility and environmental organisations, the AWEA is urging Congress to put in place a strong national renewable electricity standard (RES).

“Without strong, supportive policy like an RES to spur demand, investment, and jobs, manufacturing facilities will go idle and lay off workers,” warns Bode.

She says that the US is losing out on clean energy manufacturing to Europe and China, where long-term renewable energy targets and policy commitments are in place.

The figures are particularly disappointing after a good 2009 and represent a continuation of the wind industry’s boom and bust pattern, which is a major deterrent for potential investors.

For further information:
www.awea.org/publications/reports/2Q10.pdf

28 July 2010

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