The US wind energy industry had its strongest year ever in 2012, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has announced, installing a record 13,124MW of electric generating capacity, leveraging US$ 25 billion in private investment, and achieving over 60,000MW of cumulative wind capacity.
In 2012, wind energy for the first time became the number one source of new US electric generating capacity, providing some 42 per cent of all new generating capacity. In last year’s fourth quarter alone, 8,380MW were installed. This was due in large part to impending expiration of the l federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). It was slated to end on December 31, 2012, but was extended by Congress on January 1, 2013, as part of the “fiscal cliff package,” the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
In 2012, wind energy for the first time became the number one source of new US electric generating capacity, providing some 42 per cent of all new generating capacity. In last year’s fourth quarter alone, 8,380MW were installed. This was due in large part to impending expiration of the l federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). It was slated to end on December 31, 2012, but was extended by Congress on January 1, 2013, as part of the “fiscal cliff package,” the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
