Wind power industry has near-record year in 2019 with full pipeline for 2020

Developers added 9,143 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity to the grid in 2019, the third-highest annual total ever, according to the American Wind Energy Association’s U.S. Wind Industry Fourth Quarter 2019 Market Report.

Further, the report revealed that another 44,000 MW of wind projects – representing over $62 billion in investment – are under construction. In addition, 16 GW of offshore wind energy was pledged in 2019 — more than doubling the amount in the previous year.

Utilities and businesses set a new record in 2019 by acquiring 8,726 MW in new Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Utilities represented 60 percent of power purchase activity for the year, or 5,266 MW, the most on record. Corporate buyers accounted for 40 percent of annual wind energy contracts, or 3,640 MW, last year. The top three purchasers were Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Walmart, and AT&T.

“The demand and growth of U.S. wind energy can’t be understated,” AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan said. “Today, there are nearly 60,000 wind turbines spinning across 41 states, powering the equivalent of over 32 million American homes. Demand for wind energy is greater than ever, as evidenced by corporations and utilities signing contracts in record numbers. Nearly 200 projects are underway in 33 states from the wind belt in America’s heartland to the booming offshore wind market, where visionary leaders are leveraging the affordable, clean energy that wind provides.”

The fourth quarter of 2019 saw particularly strong as developers installed 35 new wind projects totaling 5,476 MW in 16 states. Texas had the most with 1,808 MW, followed by Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Illinois. There are now 105,583 MW of operating wind capacity in the country, with more than 56,800 wind turbines operating across 41 states.

“We’re entering a new decade with the wind, literally, at our backs,” Kiernan said. “Wind power is driving economic growth and employment across the country, especially in rural areas. More than 114,000 Americans are directly employed by the industry, and the industry delivers over $1 billion each year in state and local taxes and land-lease payments. Growth is expected to continue, especially as investors are quickly realizing the growth potential that wind provides, including in the offshore market. We look forward to setting more records in the year ahead.”