U.S. WIND BREAKING NEW-BUILD RECORDS

U.S. Wind Industry Has Record Number Of Megawatts Under Construction

January 31, 2014 (North American Windpower)

“…[Only] 1.084 GW of wind [came] online in 2013…a 92% decrease from the 13.131 GW of new capacity installed during the record-breaking year of 2012…[But] 2013 set a record [with]…more U.S. wind power megawatts under construction than ever in history: Over 12,000 MW (or, 12 GW) of new generating capacity were under construction in 2013, with [a record number of term power purchase agreements (PPAs) and] a record-breaking 10.9 GW starting construction activity during the fourth quarter…[T]he huge decrease seen in 2013 is a pattern that could repeat unless Congress acts to extend the PTC, which expired again on Dec. 31, 2013… [The record growth] resulted not only from the PTC (which provides upfront tax relief of $0.023/kWh for the first 10 years of a project), but also from investments in technological advancements that have driven down the cost of wind energy by 43% in just four years…” click here for more

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