Wind industry on track to set record
The United States could set another record in wind turbine installation, with projects completed so far this year totaling 4,204 megawatts of capacity, according to the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) third-quarter report.
The industry is on track to surpass last year’s record, with the installation of 7,500 megawatts of wind power capacity by the end of the year, compared with 5,249 megawatts in 2007.
Iowa has installed only 202.8 megawatts of capacity so far this year, but has another 1,620 megawatts under construction.
The report also noted that the industry is extensively expanding its manufacturing base across the nation, with the opening of eight new wind turbine component factories this year, the expansion of nine plants and the announcement of 19 new factories. AWEA estimates the share of domestically made components in wind turbines has risen from about 30 percent in 2005 to 50 percent today, and that the new facilities will create an estimated 9,000 jobs.
In September, TPI Composites opened a new turbine blade factory in Newton, which will employ 500 people at full capacity.
AWEA predicts that because of the late extension of wind production tax credits and the financial crisis, new construction starts for wind projects will slow next year.
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