'We're proud': US wind power smashes build records in teeth of Covid

The US wind industry set national records in the first half with 4.37GW of installations and 25.3GW of new capacity under construction on 30 June, as developers and their supply chains overcame multiple challenges from Covid-19, according to the latest industry report by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

First half additions last year were 1.74GW. The industry installed 2.54GW in the second quarter, almost triple 900MW a year earlier.

“American wind power is immensely proud of its 120,000 workers who have fought to bring additional clean, reliable electricity to American citizens, even in the initial stages of the global pandemic. This work is more important than ever during these challenging times,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan.

The first half results suggest that the US could install more than 13.1GW of capacity this year, which would be the industry's best calendar year result – assuming the pandemic that has killed more than 170,000 Americans does not get worse. Installations were 9.14GW in 2019.

The US, the second largest global wind market, had 109.9GW of operating capacity at the end of June. More than 60,000 turbines are operating across 41 states and two US territories.

Texas became the first state to surpass 30GW of installed capacity with 30.2GW, almost three times number two Iowa with 10.6GW.

According to AWEA, there was 43.62GW of capacity under construction and in advanced development nationwide, up 4% from a year earlier, an indication that wind continues as a good value proposition for buyers in electricity markets suffering below-normal demand with the national economy in recession because of Covid-19.

Offshore wind in federal waters accounted for 9.1GW. None of those projects have been permitted by the US Department of Interior although the first, 800MW Vineyard Wind, should get a green light in December.

"Wind power development and construction activity also remained resilient in the face of the pandemic, partially thanks to additional flexibility from the US Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding tax credit qualification," AWEA said.

There are 13 states with more than 1GW of wind capacity under construction or in advanced development - a project with a signed PPA (or similar long-term contract), or having announced a firm turbine order, or been announced to proceed under utility ownership.

Texas had 5.45GW of capacity under construction, the most of any state, followed by Wyoming (4.34GW), Oklahoma (1.7GW) and South Dakota (1.34GW).

Oklahoma had the most capacity under advanced development (1.79GW), followed by New York (1.44GW) and Texas (1.13GW), according to the report.

There were 1.31GW of new PPAs in the second quarter with utilities accounting for 90% and 4.06GW in the first half.