The US wind industry is experiencing the slowest quarter for new installations in three years, according to the latest figures from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
In the third quarter of this year, the US installed just 395 MW of new capacity, with year-to-date installation at 1634 MW, down 72% on last year.
The rate of new wind installations in the US in now half that of Europe’s and a third of China’s rate.
The AWEA blames the lack of a long-term national energy policy, such as a Renewable Electricity Standard, which have boosted investment in China and Europe.
The data makes for depressing reading. In 2009, wind accounted for 39% of new generating capacity, according to the US Energy Information Administration, with coal making up just 13%.
In 2010, however, the trend has been reversed with wind representing only 14% of new capacity, while coal made up 39%.
“We’re increasing our dependence on fossil fuels, impacting our national security, instead of diversifying our portfolio to include more renewables,” says Denise Bode, CEO of the American of the AWEA. “At the same time, wind is becoming an even better deal.”
If a Renewable Electricity Standard could be enacted quickly, for example setting a target of 15% renewables in the national electricity mix by 2020, the US wind industry could get back on track, she says.
The US now has a total of over 36 GW of installed wind capacity, with 14 states having over 1 GW. Iowa, which received 14% of its electricity from wind in 2009, is now approaching 20%.
Looking forward, however, the AWEA figures show that around 4700 MW of new capacity have started construction over the last six months and ten new proposals for utility-scale wind developments have been issued this quarter.