AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
JANUARY 2010
The U.S. wind industry broke all previous records by installing close to 10,000 megawatts of new generating capacity in 2009 thanks to Recovery Act incentives. The total installed capacity in the U.S. is now over 35,000 MW. In 2009, 38 manufacturing facilities were brought online, announced or expanded.
Strong Growth Seen in Fourth Quarter of 2009
The wind energy industry brought over 4,000 MW of new capacity online in the fourth quarter of 2009, making the year the strongest yet. Recovery Act incentives spurred the growth of construction, operations and management jobs in 2009, helping the industry to save and create jobs in those sectors and shine as a bright spot in the economy.
At the same time, the continuing lack of a long-term policy and market signal allowed total investment in the manufacturing sector to drop compared to 2008, with one-third fewer online, announced and expanded wind power manufacturing facilities in 2009. The result was net job losses in the manufacturing sector, which were compounded by low orders due to high inventory.
America’s wind power fleet will avoid an estimated 62 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to 10.5 million cars off the road, and will conserve approximately 20 billion gallons of water annually, which would otherwise be withdrawn for steam or cooling in conventional power plants.
Download full report (PDF): AWEA YEAR END 2009 MARKET REPORT
About American Wind Energy Association
www.awea.org
“AWEA is a national trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry – one of the world’s fastest growing energy industries. In addition, AWEA represents hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world.”
Tags: American Wind Energy Association, AWEA, Wind, Wind Energy
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