US wind manufacturing and take up remains strong, study finds

US: The US has the second-fastest wind market growth with four states deriving more than 10% of there electricity from wind energy, according to new research by the Department of Energy.

by James Quilter 5 August 2010

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The which was undertaken in association with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, focused on the state of play with the US wind industry. 

The report includes installation trends, the manufacture of wind turbine components, wind energy prices, integration and transmission and future outlook.

Despite being overtaken by China as the preeminent wind market, the report found the US wind market was is a healthy position.

Four states’ electricity largely originated from wind power. These are Iowa (20%), South Dakota (13%), North Dakota (12%) and Minnesota (11%).

Texas led the way with 2.2GW of new capacity but new projects were built within 28 states last year. This has spurred domestic manufacturing with an increasing number of components featuring in wind turbines being built in the US.

However, rising wind energy prices and lower wholesale electricity prices are set to provide a challenge for wind developers in 2010.

Analysts believe 5.5GW to 8GW of new capacity will be installed this year, compared to almost 10GW in 2009. The figure is expected to rise again in 2011 and 2012, as projects initiated by government grants and incentives come to completion.