American Clean Power reports more than 15,000 MW of U.S. clean energy capacity growth in 2021
In the first three quarters of 2021, the United States clean energy industry installed 15,317 MW of new capacity, according to a new report from the American Clean Power Association (ACP), with 17,442 MW of power purchase agreements expanding offerings further.
According to the Clean Power Quarterly 2021 Q3 Market Report, the third quarter alone saw more than 3 GW of new capacity added and more than 9 GW of new PPAs reached, thanks to 49 new projects spread across 20 states. However, the yearly totals paint an even rosier picture for the industry, which saw clean energy capacity additions increase 23 percent over 2020’s figures, while PPAs over a comparable period were 16 percent higher.
As a result, the United States now hosts more than 186 GW of operating clean power capacity.
Solar dominated this latest quarter, with 34 utility-scale solar projects added. Still, seven new wind projects and eight additional energy storage projects were also commissioned. All told, this was the conclusion of industry investments totaling $23 billion.
“Clean power is affordable, and the market is responding. Our report shows customer demand remains high and growing for clean power. Our industry not only provides good-paying jobs but also is a key part of solving the climate crisis,” Heather Zichal, ACP CEO, said. “We are seeing a clean energy future develop here in the United States. Multiple technologies working together promise to provide more efficient, cleaner, and more reliable energy for all Americans.”
Naturally, the extent of this growth has varied by area. The largest state for clean energy growth both this quarter and for the foreseeable future was Texas, thanks to 1,679 MW added in the third quarter and having a hand in 17 percent of clean projects either under construction or in advanced development. Other top states for third-quarter additions included California (389 MW), Wyoming (301 MW), Oklahoma (287 MW), and Alabama (227 MW).
In terms of projects to come, after Texas, federal waters-based offshore wind projects represent the next greatest share, at 13 percent. Then California at 11 percent of upcoming projects, Indiana at 5 percent, New Mexico at 4 percent, and New York at 3 percent. Despite the prevalence of those offshore additions, though, solar remains the largest share of capacity in the clean power pipeline, at 54 percent. It is followed by land-based wind (23 percent), then offshore wind (13 percent), and battery storage (9 percent).
The largest corporate buyer of American clean power is by far Amazon, at 509 MW, although Facebook and Microsoft are not far behind, at 450 MW and 430 MW, respectively.
