Record amount of wind energy under construction, second quarter analysis finds

A record amount of wind energy capacity is under construction in the United States, according to the second quarter market report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

The U.S. Wind Industry Second Quarter 2018 Market Report shows that 5,322 megawatts (MW) of wind began construction during the second quarter of 2018, increasing total construction activity to 18,987 MW.

“Wind power’s job creating engine just kicked into a higher gear,” Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA, said. “And all Americans will benefit as the record number of wind farms under construction begin delivering new revenue to rural communities and affordable, homegrown energy to consumers.”

Aside from projects currently under construction, 3,901 MW of new wind power capacity entered advanced development during the second quarter. The total near-term U.S. wind farm development pipeline, which includes projects under construction and in advanced development, expanded by 13 percent from the previous quarter to a total of 37,794 MW.

The United States installed 626 MW this quarter, bringing year-to-date installations to 1,032 MW.

Wind farm developers signed 1,524 MW of PPAs during the quarter. The overall volume of wind capacity contracted through PPAs increased 44 percent as compared to the first half of 2017.

Corporate customers made up 56 percent of contracted capacity in the quarter, with utilities contracting the rest. Utilities announced plans to add 1,491 MW of wind capacity under direct ownership.

In addition to increasing interest from corporate customers, AWEA credited decreasing costs caused by technological innovation and a growing manufacturing sector as well as the five-year extension and phase out of the wind energy Production Tax Credit.