Wind industry optimistic about record-breaking new projects
3 May 2006 -- The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today in its first quarter market report that the U.S. wind energy industry is on track to installing a record-breaking 3,000 MW this year.
Construction is under way on a number of facilities scheduled for completion in 2006. Over 400 MW of new plants have already been brought online since January, including the 150-MW Shiloh Wind Farm in California, the 60-MW Spring Creek Wind Farm in Colorado, and the 60-MW completion of the first phase of the Maple Ridge project in upstate New York. Overall, the industry is planning to invest over $4 billion in new wind energy capacity this year.
"Wind power is a clean, safe, domestic source of renewable energy, and it helps protect consumers against rising fuel prices," said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. "The market is recognizing wind energy's value."
AWEA said that the wind industry broke annual installed capacity records in 2005, installing over 2,400 MW or over $3 billion worth of new generating equipment in 22 states. Wind farms were the second-largest source of new power generation built in the U.S. in 2005, after new natural gas power plants. AWEA pointed out that the U.S. wind farm fleet is currently saving an estimated half a billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (Bcf/day), alleviating a portion of the tight supply pressure that is driving up prices and imports of the fuel.
AWEA expressed concerns in its report over potential problems between wind farms and civilian or military radar. AWEA said that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regional offices and the Department of Defense (DOD) have delayed development of several pending wind energy projects. Installation of the majority of proposed projects is on schedule, but, according to AWEA estimates, a total of at least 500 MW due for completion this year and next is now under a "de facto moratorium."
AWEA asserted that the possibility of radar interference has been known for a long time, and a variety of solutions already exist. The organization cited wind turbines and radars functioning successfully together in many areas, including on military bases such as Guantanamo Bay and Wyoming's F.E. Warren Air Force Base. AWEA recognized the importance of any concerns relating to security, and supported resolving problems as quickly as possible.
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