Net-zero – focus on renewables; wind and solar energy.
The U.S. wind industry installed nearly 2,000 MW of new wind power capacity in the third quarter of 2020, setting a record for third-quarter additions and bringing total American capacity to nearly 112,000 MW, according to the newly released Wind Powers America Third Quarter 2020 Market Report. The American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) report reveals that U.S. wind is on pace for a record year, with installations through the third quarter up 72% over the first nine months of 2019.
“This progress during the third quarter is a tremendous testament to the more than 120,000 wind workers in the U.S. who are on the ground every day striving to bring more clean, affordable electricity to communities across America, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Challenges still remain, but the American wind industry will continue pushing to add jobs and investments to the U.S. economy as we look toward a cleaner, more reliable, and more prosperous energy future for our country,” said Tom Kiernan, AWEA CEO.
Ten new wind projects totaling 1,934 MW started operations across nine states during the third quarter, enough to power more than 600,000 American homes. Texas led the country with 687 MW of new wind projects installed, followed by Colorado (496 MW), Illinois (200 MW), Iowa (168 MW), and Indiana (147 MW). Of particular note, the two largest single-phase wind projects in U.S. history came online during the third quarter: the 525 MW Aviator Wind project in Texas and the 496 MW Cheyenne Ridge project in Colorado.
