During 2008, the United States added more than 8,500 MW of wind energy capacity, becoming the world’s largest wind energy generator. The total U.S. wind generation capacity increased by 50% to 25,369 MW, which will produce enough electricity to power approximately seven million U.S. households. Wind energy projects completed in 2008 accounted for approximately 42% of the nation’s new generating capacity for the year and an investment of 16.4 billion USD, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Generation from these projects over their lifetime will avoid nearly 44 million tons of carbon emissions—the equivalent of taking more than seven million cars off the road.
More than 100 new wind projects larger than 2 MW were installed in 25 states and resulted in nearly 5,000 turbines being commissioned in 2008. The average size of the turbines installed in 2008 was 1.67 MW, a slight increase from the 1.65 MW in 2007. More than half of the turbines were 1.5 MW and the largest turbines were 3 MW. The average project size was about 70 MW. The world’s largest operating wind plant is the 735-MW Horse Hollow facility that covers 47,000 acres (190 km²) in Texas.
More than 5,000 MW of new capacity could be commissioned in 2009, according to industry predictions. However, due to the economic climate and especially difficulties with financing, the level of activity in 2009 is uncertain. Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act economic stimulus bill signed in early 2009 could help the industry.
The industry for small wind turbines (defined as having a capacity rating of 100 kW or less) also experienced record-breaking growth in 2008. According to AWEA, the small wind turbine industry grew by 78% in 2008, adding 17.3 MW of new capacity, which brought the total small wind capacity up to more than 80 MW. More than 10,000 units were sold. The United States claimed about 50% of the global market share and is home to about one-third of the 219 identified manufacturers worldwide.
