U.S. Leads In Wind Power Production

August 12, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Although the Congress’ failure to extend the production tax credit for the renewable energy industry threatens to slowdown further development, U.S. wind capacity for 2008 is still expected to increase by 7,500MW or up 45 percent from a year ago, according to the American Wind Energy Association, Environmental Finance reports.

America is now the leader in wind electricity generation with total installed wind power capacity at about 19,600 MW, up about 2,700 MW from end of 2007, according to AWEA’s second quarter 2008 market report.

Although Germany has installed generating capacity of about 23,000 MW, AWEA says the U.S. produces more electricity because of stronger winds.

The AWEA also reported that there are at least 41 new or expanded facilities in wind turbine and wind turbine component manufacturing over the past 18 months, creating more than 9,000 jobs when operating at full capacity. However, AWEA says uncertainty about the production tax credit still threatens domestic investment.

In wind-power related news, GE Energy Financial Services announced this week that it’s partnering with ACCIONA to invest $141 million in the Tatanka Wind Farm on the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

Using 120 ACCIONA 1.5 megawatt turbines, the farm will provide enough electricity to power more than 60,000 average homes and avoid more than 550,000 tons of GHG emissions a year, compared to equivalent fossil fuel generation. That’s equivalent to taking 90,000 cars off the road.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader