Reported by Staff

Wyoming was one of five states topping  the list for new wind capacity in the third quarter, according to a report just issued by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). All told, the U.S. wind energy industry installed 1,649 megawatts(MW) of new power generating capacity in the third quarter-an amount higher than either the 2nd quarter of 2009 or the 3rd quarter of 2008.

The Cowboy State added 170 MW of capacity from July through September, and, no doubt, the major wind farm developments of Duke Energy were instrumental in Wyoming hitting that high number.

It brings the total capacity added this year to date in the U.S. to more than 5,800 MW.  On the negative side, the AWEA also reported that wind turbine manufacturing still lags below 2008 levels, in both production and new announcements.

“Wind power installations are up, and that is good news for America`s economy, environment, and energy security,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “But manufacturing, which has the potential to employ many more Americans in good, clean energy jobs, remains uncertain. A firm, long-term national commitment to renewable energy is still needed for the U.S. to become a wind turbine manufacturing powerhouse and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.”

Since the early July announcement of rules to implement the stimulus bill, the wind industry has seen more than 1,600 MW (enough to serve the equivalent of 480,000 average households) of completed projects, and over 1,700 MW of construction starts. These projects equate to about $6.5 billion in new investment.

The industry association says it does not expect the fourth quarter of 2009 to be as strong as the fourth quarter of 2008 since the 5,000 MW now under construction is nearly 38% lower than the over 8,000 MW under construction at this time last year.

The total wind power capacity now operating in the U.S. is over 31,000 MW, generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of nearly 9 million homes, avoiding the emissions of 57 million tons of carbon annually and reducing expected carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2.5%.

The state posting the fastest growth rate in the third quarter was Arizona, which installed its first utility-scale project. Pennsylvania ranked 2nd in growth with 29%, followed by Illinois with 22%, Wyoming with 21%, and New Mexico with 20%.

 The top five states in additions for new capacity added in the third quarter are:

                 Texas           436 MW     
                 Oregon          251 MW     
                 Illinois        201 MW     
                 Colorado        174 MW     
                 Wyoming         170 MW