Big brands to make historic commitment to wind energy

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced on Thursday that major brands and non-utility consumers will support more than half of all wind power capacity through Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in 2015 – the highest support to date.

The details of the industry shift are detailed in the AWEA’s recently released 2015 U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report. The report shows that major brands and non-utility consumers will support 52 percent, or 2,074 megawatts, of all wind power capacity contracted through PPAs this year.

“Every time Americans use the Internet or do laundry, it’s more likely that wind energy made it possible,” Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA, said. “Innovation has driven down the price, resulting in phenomenal growth in demand for wind energy from corporate buyers, in large part because it saves them money. Signing a long-term wind contract provides these buyers with a package of benefits—low-cost, fixed-price, clean energy—that’s easy to say ‘yes’ to.”

Support from corporate buyers has risen considerably each year. Rates in 2013 were only five percent of PPA shares, and 23 percent in 2014. Experts expect big businesses and non-utility providers to continue increasing support for the alternative energy. Wind energy has decreased in price by approximately 66 percent and has a smaller carbon footprint than energy derived from fossil fuels.