US wind industry continues expansion

The US wind energy industry turned in a solid performance in 2004, adding 389MW of new generating equipment to the nationwide fleet. Total new additions were down sharply from the highs in the boom years of 2001 (1,696MW) and 2003 (1,687MW). The industry is hard at work planning projects that should make 2005 a record year in terms of new wind generating capability in the USA. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), over 2,000MW of new wind power capacity is likely to be added during the coming year. The most recent extension of the federal wind energy production tax credit (PTC) by Congress in October 2004, set up 2005 for an impressive growth spurt. The AWEA will continue to push for a multi-year extension of the existing PTC. Under current law, the credit will expire at the end of 2005, which could becalm the industry yet again.